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An aneurysm is a potentially life-threatening condition in which there is an abnormal swelling and ballooning of an artery, which can rupture and result in internal bleeding. Aneurysm is a general term that encompasses a variety of types, including aortic aneurysm and brain aneurysm. Aneurysms can occur in any artery in the body, but the most common site is in the aorta (aortic aneurysm), followed by the arteries of the brain (brain aneurysm).
An aneurysm develops when there is damage or a weakening of the wall of an artery. This weakened area can balloon out, disrupt normal blood flow, and rupture due to the force of blood flowing through the artery.
This process leads to symptoms and complications that vary depending on the specific type of aneurysm. They can include chest pain, back pain, shortness of breath, abdominal pain, change in consciousness, and headache. Many people have no symptoms, especially when aneurysm is small or in an early stage and has not ruptured. For more information on symptoms, refer to symptoms of aneurysm.
When certain aneurysms rupture, they cause internal arterial hemorrhage and serious, potentially life-threatening complications, such as hypotension, shock, stroke, coma and death.
Aneurysms have a variety of causes. These include a defect in the artery wall that makes the artery wall thinner and weaker than normal. Defects in artery walls can run in families and may have a genetic component. They often form in the arteries of the brain.
Another cause of an aneurysm is inflammation of the artery, which also causes weakening of the artery wall. Inflammation can be the result of such conditions as endocarditis, syphilis, or arteritis.
Damage to artery walls can also cause aneurysms. Damage can be the result of such conditions as atherosclerosis and hypertension.
When a person has symptoms of an aneurysm, making a diagnosis begins with taking a thorough personal and family medical history, including symptoms, and completing a physical examination. Diagnosis also includes performing imaging tests, such as X-rays, ultrasound, or CT scan.
Because people with aneurysms frequently have no symptoms, they are often found incidentally on imaging tests that are performed for other conditions, such as a chest X-ray taken for pneumonia.
A diagnosis can also be delayed because of a lack of symptoms. A misdiagnosis is possible, because when the symptoms do occur, they can mimic the symptoms of other conditions, such as a myocardial infarction. For information on misdiagnosis, refer to misdiagnosis of aneurysm.
Treatment of an aneurysm varies depending on the size, location, and type of aneurysm. The prognosis is good for people who have prompt treatment of an aneurysm. If an aneurysm is not treated until after it ruptures, serious life-threatening complications, such as hypovolemic shock, stroke, coma, and death are far more likely to occur. The fatality rate of ruptured brain aneurysm, or ruptured aortic aneurysm is about 50 percent.
For some types of aneurysms that are not large or do not threaten health, a "watch and wait" approach might be taken. Brain aneurysms or aortic aneurysms that are at risk for rupturing are generally treated with surgery. For more information on treatment, refer to treatment of aneurysm....more »
A diagnosis of aneurysm may missed because its symptoms may be mistaken for symptoms of such conditions as myocardial infarction or migraine headache. For people with a prior diagnosis of migraine headache, it can be easy to assume that a severe headache is simply a migraine. This can result in a delay in seeking medical care and a diagnosis ...more misdiagnosis »
The following medical conditions are some of the possible
causes of Aneurysm.
There are likely to be other possible causes, so ask your doctor
about your symptoms.
See full list of 29 causes of Aneurysm
» Review Causes of Aneurysm: Causes | Symptom Checker » | Assessment Questionnaire »
Home medical tests possibly related to Aneurysm:
Review the causes of these more specific types of Aneurysm:
See full list of 7 types for Aneurysm
Listed below are some combinations of symptoms associated with Aneurysm, as listed in our database. Visit the Symptom Checker, to add and remove symptoms and research your condition.
See full list of 501 Symptom Checkers for Aneurysm
Because some types of aneurysms can be life-threatening, prompt diagnosis and treatment of the condition is key to maintaining health and preserving life. The fatality rate of ruptured brain aneurysm, or ruptured aortic aneurysm is about 50 percent.
Ideally, aneurysms should be treated before they rupture and cause serious life-threatening complications, such as hypovolemic shock, ...Aneurysm Treatments
Some of the possible treatments listed in sources for treatment of Aneurysm may include:
Review further information on Aneurysm Treatments.
Real-life user stories relating to Aneurysm:
Symptom specific forums: The following patient stories in our interactive forums and message boards relate to Aneurysm or relevant symptoms:
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Some of the comorbid or associated medical symptoms for Aneurysm may include these symptoms:
See all associated comorbid symptoms for Aneurysm
Research the causes of these more general types of symptom:
Research the causes of these symptoms that are similar to, or related to, the symptom Aneurysm:
During a consultation, your doctor will use various techniques to assess the symptom: Aneurysm. These will include a physical examination and possibly diagnostic tests. (Note: A physical exam is always done, diagnostic tests may or may not be performed depending on the suspected condition) Your doctor will ask several questions when assessing your condition. It is important to openly share any pertinent information to help your doctor make an accurate diagnosis.
It is also very important to bring an up-to-date list of all of your all medical conditions, medications including dosages, and names of numbers of any specialist you see.
Create your printable checklist here.
See Aneurysm Assessment Questionnaire (24 listings)
Read more about causes and Aneurysm deaths.
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Read more about Misdiagnosis and Aneurysm
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Rare types of medical conditions and diseases in related medical categories:
Conditions that are commonly undiagnosed in related areas may include:
A cardiovascular disease characterized by a sac-like widening of an artery resulting from weakening of the artery wall
- (Source - WordNet 2.1)
Protruding sac in the wall of a vein, artery, or heart, frequently caused by microbial infection; may present as pain, pressure on nearby organs, or cardiac weakening.
- (Source - CRISP)
The list of organs typically affected by Aneurysm may include, but is not limited to:
The list below shows some of the causes of Aneurysm mentioned in various sources:
See full list of 29 causes of Aneurysm
This information refers to the general prevalence and incidence of these diseases, not to how likely they are to be the actual cause of Aneurysm. Of the 29 causes of Aneurysm that we have listed, we have the following prevalence/incidence information:
See the analysis of the prevalence of 29 causes of Aneurysm
The following list of conditions have 'Aneurysm' or similar listed as a symptom in our database. This computer-generated list may be inaccurate or incomplete. Always seek prompt professional medical advice about the cause of any symptom.
Select from the following alphabetical view of conditions which include a symptom of Aneurysm or choose View All.
The following list of medical conditions have Aneurysm or similar listed as a medical complication in our database. The distinction between a symptom and complication is not always clear, and conditions mentioning this symptom as a complication may also be relevant. This computer-generated list may be inaccurate or incomplete. Always seek prompt professional medical advice about the cause of any symptom.
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This information shows analysis of the list of causes of Aneurysm based
on whether certain risk factors apply to the patient:
Depending on the seriousness of the onset of Aneurysm, you may want to consult one of the following medical professionals.
Important:In extreme cases, always seek advice from emergency services :
Subtypes of Aneurysm:
Aneurysms (20 causes)
Medical Conditions associated with Aneurysm:
Blood vessel symptoms (480 causes), Artery symptoms (83 causes), Circulatory system symptoms (1579 causes)
Symptoms related to Aneurysm:
Blood vessel symptoms (480 causes), Aortic aneurysm, Abdominal aortic aneurysm, Artery symptoms (83 causes), Aorta symptoms, Cardiovascular symptoms (3192 causes), Cerebral aneurysm, Sudden death (180 causes), Haemorrhage, Arteries, Hypertension (398 causes)
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