Question 1

Am I at risk of an aneurysm?

Accepted Answer

You are at risk of an aneurysm if you smoke, drink or do drugs, have high BP or are obese. You are also at risk of aneurysms if you had a physical trauma that weakened your blood vessels or if aneurysms run in your family.

Question 2

When should I get checked for aneurysms?

Accepted Answer

If you have symptoms like intensely painful headaches, blurred vision, pain and swelling, dizziness, seizures, increased heart rate, stiff neck, etc., you should get checked for aneurysms.

Question 3

Do I need surgery?

Accepted Answer

Your doctor will take a call on whether you need surgical treatment for an aneurysm. Abdominal aortic aneurysms sometimes need endovascular stent surgery, while unruptured brain aneurysms may not need surgery. They may need only regular monitoring. A ruptured aneurysm will require emergency surgery to stop the bleeding and relieve pressure on the brain.

Question 4

How long will the surgery take?

Accepted Answer

A clipping or craniotomy takes 3-5 hours while coiling surgery can take up to 2 hours.

Question 5

How long will it take for me to recover?

Accepted Answer

It can take up to 12 weeks to completely recover after surgical treatment. Talk to your doctor at length about precautions and aftercare.

Question 6

When to call a doctor after I have been discharged?

Accepted Answer

Post-surgery, call your doctor immediately if you have a severe headache, eye pain, stiff neck, eye problems, behavioural changes, issues with thinking or understanding, a loss of consciousness, numbness in your arm, leg or face, speech problems, etc.

Question 7

What sizes of aneurysms require surgical treatment?

Accepted Answer

Surgical treatment is needed for aneurysms that are greater than 5.0 to 5.5 cm in diameter. Your doctor will discuss this with you and help you make the right decision.

Question 8

What size aneurysms have a high risk of rupturing?

Accepted Answer

A rupture is most likely if an aneurysm is more than 5.5 cm in diameter. It can also occur if the aneurysm has grown more than 1 cm within a year.

Question 9

Can stress cause aneurysms?

Accepted Answer

Stress causes high blood pressure, which can weaken the arteries and increase the risk of developing aneurysms.

Question 10

What does a headache caused by an aneurysm feel like?

Accepted Answer

Patients have reported that an aneurysm headache is incredibly painful, like being hit on the back of the head with a hammer. It is usually accompanied by other symptoms, such as vomiting, nausea, blurred vision, sensitivity to light and dizziness.

Question 11

Where do aneurysms occur?

Accepted Answer

An aneurysm may occur when a part of an artery wall weakens, causing it to widen or balloon out abnormally. It can occur anywhere, but usually, the common areas are:

The major artery from the heart (aortic aneurysm)
The brain (cerebral aneurysm)
Part of the leg behind the knee (popliteal artery aneurysm)
The intestine (mesenteric artery aneurysm)
An artery in the spleen (splenic artery aneurysm)

Question 12

How do I know if I have an aneurysm in my leg?

Accepted Answer

Peripheral aneurysms usually develop in the popliteal artery that runs down the lower part of the thigh and knee. Although it doesn't occur as commonly as other types of aneurysms, it can also develop in the arteries that supply blood to the kidneys or bowels, and the arteries of the arms or neck.

Unlike aortic aneurysms, peripheral aneurysms are unlikely to rupture but will often form blood clots that may block blood flow to the arms, legs or brain. Some of the warning signs to watch out for are:

Cramping in the legs with exercise or claudication.
Pain in the arms or legs even during rest.
Numbness or pain radiating in the leg or arm.
A throbbing lump that can be felt in the neck, arm, leg or groin.
Sore fingers or toes that don’t heal.
Gangrene or tissue death.

Question 13

Can you live a normal life with an aortic aneurysm?

Accepted Answer

Most aortic aneurysms develop and grow in size slowly over time. Eventually, they may cause the artery walls to stretch and enlarge like a balloon. A normal aorta is about as wide and tough as a garden hose. So, if the aneurysm doesn't grow much, the individual can live with it for years.

However, if the aneurysm grows, the risk of rupture increases. If an emergency repair is carried out on a leaking or ruptured aneurysm, there may be complications and you might take a long time to recover. However, successful surgery for aortic aneurysms with complete recovery can be ensured if the aneurysm has not ruptured. Generally, aneurysms are less likely to develop once the surgery is done, unless the individual has an unusual disease that causes aneurysms in the body.

Question 14

Can an aneurysm heal itself?

Accepted Answer

An aortic aneurysm is treated with the aim of preventing the risk of dissection or rupture, which increases with the size of the aneurysm. Once an aneurysm forms along the aorta, it doesn't heal by itself or decrease in size. Sometimes, small aneurysms may remain stable in size for years, but others might increase in size over time. Generally, an aneurysm will grow at less than one-fourth of an inch per year. However, this varies substantially between aneurysms.

The doctor may prescribe certain medications to keep the blood pressure in check and suggest waiting and watching the condition. Medications can slow the growth of an aneurysm, but they cannot cure it. So, most aortic aneurysms have to be repaired eventually to stop them from rupturing.

Question 15

What complications can develop when an aneurysm ruptures?

Accepted Answer

Some of the complications that can result from an aneurysm rupture are:

Re-bleeding: A ruptured or leaking aneurysm is likely to bleed again, causing further damage to the cells.
Vasospasm: Rupturing of a brain aneurysm can lead to the narrowing of the blood vessels in the brain, a condition called vasospasm. This can limit blood flow to the brain cells and damage them.
Hydrocephalus: Hydrocephalus is caused when an excess of cerebrospinal fluid exerts pressure on the brain and damages the tissues. This condition occurs when an aneurysm ruptures and bleeds into the space between the brain and surrounding tissues (subarachnoid haemorrhage).
Hyponatremia: Subarachnoid haemorrhage, caused by a ruptured brain aneurysm, may disrupt sodium balance in the blood, resulting in hyponatremia. This can lead to the brain cells swelling, resulting in permanent damage.

Understanding Aneurysms