An aneurysm is a swelling of an artery caused by injury or by weakening of the vascular walls. It can form anywhere in the body, but is most common in the aorta (the main artery from the heart) and in the brain. The size of the aneurysm can vary according to the factors that contributed to its formation, such as trauma, pathology, genetic predisposition or congenital diseases. As the aneurysm gets large, the chances of it bursting and causing severe bleeding increase. Most of these swellings show no symptoms and have a high mortality rate (between 65% and 85%), so immediate medical attention is essential.
Steps
Method 1 of 4: Locate a Cerebral Aneurysm
Step 1. Don't neglect a sudden and very severe headache
If an artery bursts within the brain due to an aneurysm, the patient will experience an intense headache that appears suddenly. This is the key symptom that indicates the rupture of the bulge.
- Typically this type of headache is worse than any other you have ever experienced.
- It is a rather localized pain, confined to the area of the head where the artery rupture occurred.
- For example, if the artery bursts near the eye, you will experience severe physical pain radiating into the eye itself.
- Headache can also be accompanied by nausea and / or vomiting.
Step 2. Pay attention to any changes in vision
Double vision, impaired vision, perception of blurry images, or partial / total blindness, are all factors that indicate a brain aneurysm. Vision problems are caused by pressure exerted on the vascular walls near the eye and which reduces or blocks blood circulation in the eye.
- The optic nerve could be compressed by the accumulated blood, resulting in blurry or double vision.
- Blindness is caused by retinal ischemia, when there is insufficient blood flow to the tissues of the retina.
Step 3. Look in the mirror if the pupils are dilated
This is a fairly common sign of a brain aneurysm caused by blockage of an artery near the eye. In these cases, one pupil is generally much more dilated than the other.
- This phenomenon is caused by the blood pressure building up in the brain.
- Pupillary dilation may indicate that the aneurysm has just occurred and that arterial damage is near the eyes.
Step 4. Pay attention to eye pain
You may feel a throbbing or very intense pain in your eyes during an aneurysm.
- This happens when the affected artery is close to those organs.
- The pain is usually localized on one side only, towards the area of the brain affected by this serious disorder.
Step 5. Check for nuchal stiffness
This happens when a nerve in the neck is affected by the rupture of the artery.
- The aneurysm does not need to have ruptured in the exact spot where you are experiencing neck pain.
- The nerves that affect the area extend well beyond the neck, both down and towards the head.
Step 6. Find out if half of your body is weak
Weakness that affects only half of the body is a typical sign of an aneurysm, depending on the area of the brain that is affected.
- If the site of the arterial rupture is the right hemisphere, then the patient will have a left hemiparesis.
- Conversely, if it is the left cerebral hemisphere that is affected by the aneurysm, then the paralysis is localized in the right side of the body.
Step 7. Go to the emergency room immediately
Rupture of a brain aneurysm is fatal in 40% of cases, but 66% of surviving individuals report some type of brain damage. If you experience any of the symptoms described above, immediately call the emergency services (118 in Italy or 112 in the European Community).
Experts advise against driving or taking a family member to the hospital. The aneurysm evolves very rapidly, and rescuers often have to put in place some life-saving procedures in the ambulance
Method 2 of 4: Locate an Aortic Aneurysm
Step 1. Know that aortic aneurysms can be both abdominal and thoracic
The aorta is the main artery that carries blood to the heart and all other extremities; an aneurysm in his charge is classified into two sub-categories:
- Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is an abnormal swelling of the abdominal aortic wall. It is the most common aneurysm and is fatal in 80% of cases.
- Thoracic aortic aneurysm (AAT) is located in the chest, above the diaphragm. During an AAT, a section of the aorta near the heart widens and interferes with the function of the valve between the heart and the aorta itself. When this happens, blood flows back to the heart muscle, damaging it.
Step 2. Pay attention to any severe abdominal or back pain
The manifestation of intense and abnormal pain in the stomach or back could be a symptom of an abdominal or thoracic aortic aneurysm.
- The pain is caused by the swelling of the vascular walls that apply pressure to the neighboring organs and muscles.
- The pain usually does not go away on its own.
Step 3. Check for nausea or vomiting
If the pain is accompanied by these gastric disturbances, then the AAA may have ruptured.
In some cases, urination difficulties and constipation are noted
Step 4. Assess if you feel lightheaded
Vertigo and lightheadedness are caused by the massive blood loss that usually accompanies rupture of the abdominal aorta.
Dizziness often leads to fainting
Step 5. Check your heart rate
The heart reacts to internal bleeding and anemia caused by the rupture of the aneurysm by increasing the rate of beats.
Step 6. Feel the skin to see if it is damp
This sign could be an indicator of an abdominal aortic aneurysm.
This phenomenon is due to an embolus (a moving blood clot) generated by the aneurysm and which interferes with the temperature of the outer skin layer
Step 7. Watch for any sudden chest pain or very loud breathing (with sharp wheezing)
Since AAT occurs in the chest area, dilation of the aorta pushing against the chest can cause pain and wheezing sound when breathing.
- Chest pain is extremely intense and piercing.
- If the pain is dull, it is most likely not an aneurysm.
Step 8. Assess any swallowing difficulties
If you can't swallow, you may have an AAT.
This difficulty can be caused by the dilation of the aorta pressing on the esophagus preventing swallowing
Step 9. Try to speak and pay attention to hoarseness
If the dilated artery presses on the nerve that controls the larynx (and therefore the vocal cords), then the voice may be hoarse.
Hoarseness occurs completely unexpectedly and does not develop slowly, as in the course of a cold or flu
Method 3 of 4: Confirm the Diagnosis
Step 1. Get an ultrasound for a preliminary diagnosis
It is a completely painless examination that uses sound waves to visualize and recreate the digital image of certain parts of the body.
This test is only done to diagnose an aortic aneurysm
Step 2. Get computed tomography (CT or improperly but more commonly referred to as CT)
The procedure uses X-rays to obtain images of the internal structures of the body. Also in this case the patient does not feel any pain and the images are more detailed than those obtained with ultrasound. This is a good diagnostic method if the doctor suspects an aneurysm or wants to rule out possible diseases.
- During the examination, the doctor will inject a dye into a vein that makes the aorta and other arteries visible through computed tomography.
- This test is done to diagnose all types of aneurysms.
- You can have a CT scan every year as part of your check-up, even if you don't suspect you have an aneurysm. This way you can spot the swelling of the vascular walls as soon as possible.
Step 3. Evaluate Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI or MRI)
It is an imaging test that uses magnetic and radio waves to visualize internal organs and other structures in the body. The patient does not feel any pain and it is a procedure that recognizes, locates and evaluates the size of an aneurysm.
- MRI is able to recreate three-dimensional images that are proposed as cross sections of the cerebral blood vessels.
- MRI is used to diagnose each type of aneurysm.
- In some cases, MRI is done concurrently with a cerebral angiography to get more details.
- Thanks to computer-generated radio waves and magnetic fields, MRI provides much more detailed images of brain blood vessels than computed tomography.
- This is a safe and painless procedure.
- Unlike x-rays, MRI does not use any type of radiation, so it is safe even with patients who do not need to be irradiated (pregnant women, for example).
Step 4. Get angiography to examine the inside of the artery
This test uses X-rays and specific dyes to visualize the lumen of the artery affected by the swelling.
- In this way the extent and severity of the damage can be assessed; during angiography it is also possible to observe the accumulation of atherosclerotic plaques and any other obstructions.
- Cerebral angiography is done only in cases of a brain aneurysm. This is an invasive procedure, as a small catheter is inserted into the leg, which is then guided through the circulatory system.
- Angiography allows doctors to pinpoint the exact location of the arterial rupture in the brain.
- After injecting the dye, a series of images are "taken" through magnetic resonance or X-rays, with the aim of obtaining a detailed view of the blood vessels of the brain.
Method 4 of 4: About Aneurysms
Step 1. Know the causes
A brain aneurysm occurs when an artery in the brain weakens and its walls dilate to form a "balloon" that precedes the rupture. These bulges usually form at the bifurcations or branches of the arteries, the weakest points of the blood vessels.
- When this "balloon" bursts, there is continuous bleeding within the brain.
- Blood is toxic to brain tissues and when contact occurs it is often referred to as hemorrhagic syndrome.
- Most brain aneurysms occur in the subarachnoid space, the area between the brain and the cranial bone.
Step 2. Recognize the risk factors
Cerebral and aortic aneurysms share several risk factors. Some cannot be controlled, such as genetic predisposition, but others can be reduced through intelligent lifestyle choices. Listed below are some of the common risk factors for cerebral and aortic aneurysms:
- Smoking increases the chances of suffering from this serious complication.
- Hypertension (high blood pressure) damages blood vessels and the lining of the aorta.
- Age increases the risk of a brain aneurysm after age 50. Aging makes the aorta stiffer, and the incidence of this serious disorder increases as we age.
- Inflammation causes damage that can cause aneurysm. Conditions such as vasculitis (inflammation of the blood vessels) attack the aorta and promote the development of scar tissue on its walls.
- Injuries, such as falls or a traffic accident, can damage the aorta.
- Infections such as syphilis (a venereal infection) weaken the linings of the arterial walls. Bacterial or fungal infections of the brain cause damage to blood vessels and increase the risk of an aneurysm.
- Drug use and abuse, especially cocaine and alcohol, cause hypertension which in turn can lead to brain aneurysms.
- Sex also plays an important role. The rate of aortic aneurysms is higher in the male population than in the female population, but women are more prone to the cerebral one.
- Some inherited conditions, such as Ehlers-Danlos syndrome and Marfan syndrome (both affect connective tissue), can weaken the blood vessels in the brain and also the aorta.
Step 3. Stop smoking
Smoking is believed to contribute to the formation and rupture of aneurysms in the brain. Smoking is also the major risk factor for developing abdominal aortic aneurysm. 90% of patients who undergo an AAA are smokers.
The sooner you stop, the sooner you will begin to reduce the risk you are subjected to
Step 4. Check your blood pressure.
Hypertension, which is high blood pressure, causes damage to the blood vessels of the brain and the lining of the aorta, leading to the formation of aneurysms.
- If you are overweight or obese, you should lose weight to lower your blood pressure. Even just 5 kilos less can make a difference.
- Exercise regularly. Aim for 30 minutes a day of moderate training to lower your blood pressure.
- Limit your alcohol consumption. Don't drink more than 1-2 drinks a day (one for most women and two for men).
Step 5. Check the power supply
If you keep the circulatory system healthy, you can prevent aortic aneurysm. A healthy diet reduces the risk of rupture of existing vascular bulges. Eat a balanced diet rich in fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains and lean proteins to prevent aneurysms from forming.
- Reduce your sodium intake with food. Try not to exceed the dose of 2300 mg per day (1500 mg for those suffering from hypertension) to keep blood pressure under control.
- Lower cholesterol. Eat foods rich in soluble fiber, especially oats and oat bran, to limit "bad" cholesterol (LDL). Apples, pears, red beans, barley, and prunes contain a lot of soluble fiber. Omega-3 fatty acids are found in fatty fish such as sardines, tuna, salmon and halibut and are capable of lowering the risk of aneurysm.
- Eat healthy fats. Avoid the saturated ones and the trans ones. The fats contained in fish, vegetables (i.e. olive oil), nuts and seeds are monounsaturated and polyunsaturated and help reduce the propensity for aneurysms. Avocado is another great source of "good" cholesterol-lowering fats.
