Aneurysm

An aneurysm is a bulge in the wall of an artery. Aneurysms form when there’s a weak area in the artery wall. Untreated aneurysms can burst open, leading to internal bleeding. They can also cause blood clots that block the flow of blood in your artery. Depending on the location of the aneurysm, a rupture or clot can be life-threatening. Overview What is an aneurysm? An aneurysm is a weak or expanded part of an artery, like a bulge in a balloon. Your arteries are large Aneurysms usually aren’t painful. You might not know you have one unless it ruptures or bursts. If it does, it can be very dangerous or even fatal. What are the different types of aneurysms? An aneurysm can form in any of the arteries in your body. Aneurysms can occur in your Types of aneurysms include: • Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA): • Cerebral aneurysms: Also called brain aneurysms, these aneurysms affect an artery in your brain. A saccular (or berry) aneurysm is the most common type of cerebral aneurysm. It forms as a sac of blood attached to an artery. It looks like a round berry attached to the artery. • Thoracic aortic aneurysm: These aneurysms are less common than AAAs. • Carotid aneurysm: • Popliteal aneurysm: These develop in the artery that runs behind your knees. • Mesenteric artery aneurysm: This type of aneurysm forms in the artery that brings blood to your intestine. • Splenic artery aneurysm: These aneurysms develop in an artery in your spleen. How common are aneurysms? Unruptured brain aneur...

An aneurysm occurs when an artery’s wall weakens and causes an abnormally large bulge. Arteries are blood vessels that carry blood from the heart to the rest of the body, while veins bring blood back to the heart and lungs. This bulge can rupture and cause internal bleeding. Although an aneurysm can develop in any part of your body, they’re most common in the: • Brain. Aneurysms in the brain are called cerebral aneurysms. These often form in the blood vessels that lie deep within the brain. They also may not present any symptoms. You may not even know you have an aneurysm. Cerebral aneurysms may affect • Aorta. Aneurysms in the chest cavity are called thoracic aortic aneurysms. Abdominal aortic aneurysms are the most common type. In rare cases, arterial damage can affect both the chest and abdomen. The aorta is the largest blood vessel in the body. It begins at the left ventricle of the heart and travels down the abdomen where it splits off into both legs. The aorta is a common site for arterial aneurysms. Other more common areas where an aneurysm may occur include the: • legs • spleen • behind your knee • intestines According to the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, aortic aneurysms are responsible for about Although the exact cause of an aneurysm is unclear, certain factors contribute to the condition. For example, damaged tissue in the arteries can play a role. Blockages, such as fatty deposits, can harm the arteries. These deposits can trigger the heart to pump...

The Dangers of Brain Aneurysm Aneurysms can lurk without symptoms, but screening can save lives. Click here for an infographic to learn more A brain aneurysm (AN-yoo-riz-um) — also known as a cerebral aneurysm or intracranial aneurysm — is a bulge or ballooning in a blood vessel in the brain. An aneurysm often looks like a berry hanging on a stem. Experts think brain aneurysms form and grow because blood flowing through the blood vessel puts pressure on a weak area of the vessel wall. This can increase the size of the brain aneurysm. If the brain aneurysm leaks or ruptures, it causes bleeding in the brain, known as a hemorrhagic stroke. Most often, a ruptured brain aneurysm occurs in the space between the brain and the thin tissues covering the brain. This type of hemorrhagic stroke is called a subarachnoid hemorrhage. Brain aneurysms are common. But most brain aneurysms aren't serious, especially if they're small. Most brain aneurysms don't rupture. They usually don't cause symptoms or cause health problems. In many cases, brain aneurysms are found during tests for other conditions. However, a ruptured aneurysm quickly becomes life-threatening and requires medical treatment right away. If a brain aneurysm hasn't ruptured, treatment may be appropriate in some cases. Treatment of an unruptured brain aneurysm may prevent a rupture in the future. Talk with your health care provider to make sure you understand the best options for your specific needs. Types Saccular and fusifo...

Detecting an Your best strategy is to: • Know if you are at risk • Be familiar with the symptoms of an aneurysm • Take preventive steps Although most aneurysms have no symptoms, you may see: • Sudden and severe • An unusual pulsing sensation, pain, or a lump anywhere Some symptoms can be a sign of a specific type of aneurysm: • Pain in the • A pain in the chest, hoarseness, persistent • A throbbing sensation or lump directly behind the • A severe When to Call Your Doctor If you think you may have an aneurysm, make the call right away. Many are serious and require a medical evaluation. An aneurysm that ruptures could be life-threatening.

An aneurysm is the enlargement of an artery caused by weakness in the arterial wall. Often there are no symptoms, but a ruptured aneurysm can lead to fatal complications. An aneurysm refers to a weakening of an artery wall that creates a bulge, or distention, of the artery. Most aneurysms do not show symptoms and are not dangerous. However, at their most severe stage, some can rupture, leading to life-threatening internal bleeding. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) advise that aortic aneurysms contribute to over Around • Aneurysms affect a variety of arteries. The most significant aneurysms affect the arteries supplying the brain and the heart. An aortic aneurysm affects the body’s main artery. • The rupture of an aneurysm causes internal bleeding. • The risk of an aneurysm developing and rupturing varies between individuals. Smoking and • Some types of aneurysm may need surgical treatment to prevent rupture. Doctors will only operate on others if they are life-threatening. Share on Pinterest The rupture of an aneurysm can be fatal. Aneurysms are classified by their location in the body. The arteries of the brain and heart are the two most common sites of a serious aneurysm. The bulge can take two main shapes: • Fusiform aneurysms bulge all sides of a blood vessel • Saccular aneurysms bulge only on one side The risk of rupture depends on the size of the bulge. Aortic aneurysm The aorta is the large artery that begins at the left ventricle of the heart an...

Overview An aneurysm is an abnormal bulge or ballooning in the wall of a blood vessel. An aneurysm can burst. This is called a rupture. A ruptured aneurysm causes bleeding inside the body and often leads to death. Some aneurysms may not cause symptoms. You might not know you have an aneurysm even if it is large. Aneurysms can develop in several parts of the body, including: • The body's main artery, called the aorta ( • The part of the aorta that passes through the belly area ( • The part of the aorta that passes through the chest ( • Blood vessels that send blood to the brain ( • Blood vessels in other parts of the body, such as the legs, groin or neck (peripheral aneurysm). Some small aneurysms have a low risk of rupture. To determine the risk of an aneurysm rupture, a health care provider considers: • Your symptoms. • Your medical history. • Your family's medical history. • The size, shape and location of the aneurysm. Treatment of some aneurysms may only involve regular health checkups and imaging tests. If an aneurysm breaks open, emergency open surgery is needed. Sometimes a less-invasive treatment called endovascular surgery may be done. Vivien Williams: An aneurysm is an abnormal bulge or ballooning in the wall of a blood vessel. Bernard Bendok, M.D., Neurosurgery, Mayo Clinic: A portion of these patients will go on to have a rupture. And the challenge with rupture is that it's unpredictable. Vivien Williams: Dr. Bernard Bendok says a ruptured aneurysm is a medical...

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What is an aneurysm? An aneurysm is a bulging, weakened area in the wall of a blood vessel resulting in an abnormal widening or ballooning greater than 50% of the vessel's normal diameter (width). An aneurysm may occur in any blood vessel, but is most often seen in an artery rather than a vein. An aneurysm may be located in many areas of the body, such as blood vessels of the brain ( The shape of an aneurysm is described as being fusiform or saccular, which helps to identify a true aneurysm. The more common fusiform-shaped aneurysm bulges or balloons out on all sides of the blood vessel. A saccular-shaped aneurysm bulges or balloons out only on one side. A pseudoaneurysm, or false aneurysm, is not an enlargement of any of the layers of the blood vessel wall. A false aneurysm may be the result of a prior surgery or trauma. Sometimes, a tear can occur on the inside layer of the vessel. As a result, blood fills in between the layers of the blood vessel wall creating a pseudoaneurysm. A dissecting aneurysm is an aneurysm that occurs with a tear in the artery wall that separates the 3 layers of the wall, rather than ballooning out the entire wall. Because an aneurysm may continue to increase in size, along with progressive weakening of the artery wall, surgical intervention may be needed. Preventing rupture of an aneurysm is 1 of the goals of therapy. The larger an aneurysm becomes, the greater the risk for rupture (bursting). With rupture, life-threatening hemorrhage (uncontro...