Cerebral Artery Aneurysm

An unruptured aneurysm may not be large enough to cause symptoms. It is important to understand that not all these symptoms may be present.

However, if this happens do not have a family member/friend take you in a private vehicle to the hospital, and do not attempt to drive yourself. This is an emergency and may require first responders to use lifesaving procedures in an ambulance; getting help immediately is extremely important.

If a brain aneurysm does rupture, it will usually cause bleeding into the space around the brain which is called a subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). A rupture can cause sudden symptoms that include: 

• Sudden and severe headache, often described as “the worst headache of my life”
• Nausea/vomiting Stiff neck
• Blurred or double vision
• Sensitivity to light
• Seizure
• Drooping eyelid
• A dilated pupil
• Pain above and behind the eye
• Loss of consciousness
• Confusion
• Weakness and/or numbness

Also, if an aneurysm does rupture, several things can affect the outcome or prognosis. These include:

• How quickly they receive medical help (How fast you receive treatment can greatly reduce the risk of death and complications from stroke.)
• The person’s age and health
• Any other health issues they have
• The aneurysm’s size and location
• How much bleeding occurred

About 25% of people with a ruptured aneurysm die within 24 hours. Another 25% have problems that lead to death within six months.

If you experience any of the symptoms of a ruptured aneurysm, CALL 911.

If an unruptured brain aneurysm presses on nerves in your brain, it can cause signs and symptoms that include:

• Chronic headaches
• A droopy eyelid
• Double vision or other changes in vision
• Pain above or behind the eye
• A dilated pupil
• Numbness or weakness on one side of the face or body

Contact your healthcare provider if you have any of the above symptoms or if you experience a change in chronic headache patterns (meaning intensity or frequency of headaches).

Remember to be F.A.S.T.

The F.A.S.T. initiative is a simple way to remember how to spot the signs of a stroke and what to do if you think someone is having one. Here’s what F.A.S.T. means:

• Face: Ask the person to smile. Does one side of their face droop?
• Arms: Ask them to raise both arms. Does one arm drift down or feel weak?
• Speech: Listen to their speech. Is it slurred or hard to understand?
• Time: If you see any of these signs, call 911 immediately. Getting help quickly can save their life and reduce the damage.

Acting F.A.S.T. can make a huge difference in recovery from a stroke! 

A brain artery aneurysm happens when a blood vessel wall in the brain gets weak. Several things can make this weakness more likely:

• Genes: Some inherited conditions like polycystic kidney disease can make blood vessels weaker, raising aneurysm risk.
• High blood pressure: This puts extra stress on blood vessel walls, making aneurysms more possible.
• Hardened arteries: Fat buildup inside blood vessels can weaken artery walls.
• Infections: A type called mycotic aneurysm can occur if an infection weakens brain artery walls.
• Head injuries: Damage to the brain or its blood vessels can lead to aneurysms.
• Lifestyle choices: Smoking, drinking too much alcohol and using drugs can help aneurysms form.

We understand how challenging it can be to break free from the grip of tobacco and nicotine addiction. That’s why we offer free support and resources to help you quit smoking and using other tobacco products. Learn more about our free tobacco cessation program, including our free nicotine replacement therapy.

Specific imaging tests to check for unruptured brain aneurysms are not usually advised unless you are at high risk or have new concerning symptoms.

Screening can be performed by your doctor. Ask your doctor about possible screening benefits if you have:

• A family history of brain aneurysms. Especially if two close relatives—parents, siblings or children—have had them.
• A condition that raises your risk of developing a brain aneurysm. These include polycystic kidney disease, aortic coarctation or Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, among others.

A sudden, intense headache or similar signs might indicate a burst aneurysm and will need immediate tests. Emergency tests can determine if blood has leaked into the area surrounding your brain, a condition called subarachnoid hemorrhage. They can also identify if you have experienced a different kind of stroke.

For an unruptured brain aneurysm, screening tests and procedures can be used for diagnosis. Imaging and other diagnostic tests include:

• CT scan of the brain (also called a brain scan): This special X-ray is often the first test to find bleeding in the brain or other stroke types.
• CT angiogram: This is a test that uses CT technology combined with contrast agents injected into the blood to show more details of the arteries that bring blood to the brain. This test can also detect a weak spot in a blood vessel.
• MRI (magnetic resonance imaging): This test uses magnets and radio waves to make detailed pictures of the brain, either flat or 3D. These pictures can show if there’s bleeding in the brain. A special kind of MRI uses contrast to take pictures of the arteries and is called MR angiography. This MRI can find the size, shape and spot of a weak area that has not burst yet.
• Cerebral angiogram (also called a brain arteriogram): This is usually done when other tests do not give enough information. In this test, a thin, plastic tube called a catheter is used. The tube is put into a big artery, usually in the groin or wrist. The tube is moved to the arteries in your brain. A special dye put into the tube travels to arteries in your brain which can then be visualized with X-ray imaging.
• Lumbar Puncture (also called a spinal tap): This spinal fluid test uses a needle to take fluid from your back. If you’ve had bleeding around your brain, there will likely be red blood cells in the spinal fluid around your brain and spine. Rarely, your tests can show signs of a burst weak spot but not show bleeding and testing your spinal fluid can be used to make sure no bleeding has occurred.

A ruptured brain aneurysm may cause sudden severe headache, nausea, vomiting, neck stiffness, unconsciousness and stroke-like symptoms. Any of these signs demand immediate medical care. 

Treatment varies based on the aneurysm’s size, location, infection status and whether it has ruptured. Treatment strategies can range from supportive care with aggressive medications, to catheter-based procedures or surgery to stop bleeding or seal off or remove an aneurysm.

While it may not be possible to completely prevent brain aneurysms, several steps can be taken to reduce the risk: 

• Control blood pressure: Managing high blood pressure through diet, exercise and medication can reduce the strain on blood vessel walls.
• Avoid smoking: Smoking increases the risk of aneurysms by damaging blood vessels. Quitting smoking is a significant preventative measure.
• Maintain a Healthy Diet: A balanced diet low in saturated fats and cholesterol can help prevent atherosclerosis, which can weaken blood vessel walls.
• Regular exercise: Regular physical activity helps maintain cardiovascular health and can lower blood pressure.
• Limit alcohol and avoid drug abuse: Excessive alcohol consumption and drug use can increase the risk of aneurysms.