Understanding the warning signs, recognizing emergency symptoms, and knowing when medical evaluation may be necessary can help people respond more quickly when time matters most.
What Is an Aneurysm?
An aneurysm develops when part of an artery wall becomes weakened and begins to bulge under the pressure of circulating blood. Arteries carry blood away from the heart to supply oxygen and nutrients to the body's organs and tissues.
When an artery wall weakens, it may gradually expand. The resulting aneurysm can remain stable, grow over time, or develop complications.
An aneurysm is not the same as a stroke, although a ruptured brain aneurysm can cause a type of hemorrhagic stroke. Similarly, an aortic aneurysm may rupture or develop a tear in the artery wall, leading to life-threatening internal bleeding.
Aneurysms can occur in different parts of the body, but three important types are:
1. Brain aneurysm
A brain aneurysm, also called a cerebral aneurysm, forms in an artery in or around the brain. Many small brain aneurysms never cause symptoms and may be discovered incidentally during an imaging scan performed for another reason.
However, a larger aneurysm may press against nearby nerves or brain tissue. If it ruptures, blood can leak into the space surrounding the brain, causing a medical emergency known as a subarachnoid hemorrhage.
2. Thoracic aortic aneurysm
The aorta is the body's largest artery. It carries blood from the heart through the chest and abdomen.
A thoracic aortic aneurysm develops in the portion of the aorta located in the chest. It may cause no symptoms while small, but an enlarging aneurysm can sometimes produce chest discomfort, back pain, coughing, hoarseness, or difficulty breathing.
If the aorta tears or ruptures, the condition can become life-threatening within a short time.
3. Abdominal aortic aneurysm
An abdominal aortic aneurysm develops in the section of the aorta that passes through the abdomen.
Many abdominal aortic aneurysms remain unnoticed because they do not cause symptoms. When symptoms occur, a person may experience deep abdominal, back, or side pain.
A rupture can cause severe internal bleeding and a rapid decline in blood pressure. Prompt emergency treatment is essential.
Other aneurysms can develop in arteries elsewhere in the body, including those behind the knees or in the pelvis.
Why Are Aneurysms So Dangerous?
The danger of an aneurysm depends on several factors, including its location, size, shape, and whether it is growing.
A small aneurysm that remains stable may pose a relatively low risk and can sometimes be managed through regular medical monitoring. A larger or rapidly growing aneurysm may require closer evaluation and, in some cases, treatment.
The most serious complications include:
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Rupture: The weakened artery wall breaks open, causing bleeding.
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Aortic dissection: The inner layer of the aorta tears, allowing blood to flow between layers of the artery wall.
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Pressure on nearby structures: An enlarging aneurysm may compress nerves or surrounding tissues.
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Blood clots: Clots may form within some aneurysms and potentially travel to other parts of the body, obstructing blood flow.
A rupture does not always produce a long period of warning symptoms. Some people experience sudden, dramatic symptoms without having noticed anything unusual beforehand.
This is why recognizing emergency warning signs is important, but it is equally important to understand that the absence of symptoms does not rule out an aneurysm.
Warning Signs of a Brain Aneurysm
Brain aneurysms are particularly concerning because a rupture can cause severe bleeding around the brain. However, not every brain aneurysm causes symptoms, and symptoms alone cannot confirm the diagnosis.
1. A sudden, extremely severe headache
One of the most important warning signs of a ruptured brain aneurysm is a sudden, severe headache.
People sometimes describe it as the worst headache they have ever experienced. It may reach maximum intensity within seconds or a very short period, rather than gradually developing like an ordinary headache.
This type of headache is often called a thunderclap headache.
It may occur with nausea, vomiting, neck stiffness, sensitivity to light, or loss of consciousness.
A sudden, exceptionally severe headache requires emergency medical assessment, even if the pain begins to improve. It can have several possible causes, some of which are life-threatening.
Do not assume it is simply a migraine, stress, dehydration, or lack of sleep.
2. Changes in vision
An unruptured brain aneurysm may press on nerves involved in eye movement or vision.
Possible symptoms include:
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Blurred vision.
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Double vision.
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Pain around or behind one eye.
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A drooping eyelid.
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A change in pupil size.
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Sudden loss of vision.