What it is
An aneurysm is a bulge or "ballooning" in the wall of an artery — a blood vessel carrying oxygen-rich blood from the heart to the rest of the body.
- The danger: a large aneurysm can burst, causing dangerous bleeding or even death.
- Where: most occur in the aorta, the main artery running from the heart through the chest and abdomen. They can also form in arteries of the brain, the heart and elsewhere.
- In the brain: a burst aneurysm causes a stroke.
Symptoms
Aneurysms can develop and grow large before causing any symptoms.
Finding them
Doctors use imaging tests. Many aneurysms are found by chance, during tests done for other reasons.
Treatment
- The two main treatments are medicines and surgery.
- Found and treated early, many aneurysms can be kept from bursting.
Sources
Based on the MedlinePlus health topic "Aneurysms," National Library of Medicine, drawing on the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute; a work of the United States government in the public domain.
Licence: CC0 1.0 (public domain) · Adapted from medlineplus.gov
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