Aneurysms can technically happen in any blood vessel, though they most often pop up in arteries rather than veins. They can also occur in several body parts, including the:
The most common type of aneurysm is found in the aorta (our body’s largest artery). They can indeed be life-threatening, which is why if your physician finds an aneurysm somewhere in your body, they may recommend performing a procedure known as an endovascular embolization to treat it. The minimally invasive procedure involves blocking blood flow into aneurysms that are at risk of rupturing, which is the point at which they become dangerous.
One such situation in which an aneurysm can become life-threatening is if it’s located in the brain and it ruptures. According to the Mayo Clinic, this most frequently happens in the area between the brain and the thin tissues that cover it in a phenomenon known as a subarachnoid hemorrhage. Most aneurysms in the brain don’t rupture, cause symptoms, or lead to any health problems at all. They’re generally discovered during tests performed for other conditions. However, there are some scenarios in which brain aneurysms can lead to symptoms:
A ruptured aneurysm has a “key” symptom: a sudden, severe headache. It’s frequently described as the “worst headache” someone has ever experienced. Other common signs of a ruptured aneurysm may include:
A “leaking” aneurysm” may also occur. This phenomenon occurs when an aneurysm “leaks” a small amount of blood. It may only cause:
The more severe ruptured aneurysm frequently follows a leaking aneurysm.
However, an unruptured aneurysm, though sometimes asymptomatic, may press on nerves and brain tissues. If this occurs, it may lead to:
The Mayo Clinic says you should seek immediate medical attention if you experience a sudden, incredibly painful headache.
Various Ezra scans may find aneurysms throughout your body. If you’d like to learn about our screening options, you may do so at this link.
