Usually this headache will feel much worse than any headache you have ever experienced. The headache is usually fairly localized, confined to whichever side of the head where the artery burst. For example, if the artery near your eye bursts, it will cause severe pain that radiates into your eye. The headache may also be associated with nausea, disorientation, and/or vomiting.
The optic nerve can also be pinched by the accumulating blood, causing blurry or double vision. Blindness in this situation is caused by ischemia of the retina, where the blood flow to the retinal tissues is insufficient. [2] X Trustworthy Source PubMed Central Journal archive from the U. S. National Institutes of Health Go to source
The enlarged pupil is caused by the pressure of blood accumulating within the brain. Dilated pupils may indicate that an aneurysm just happened, shown by artery damage located near the eyes.
This happens when the affected artery is near the eyes. The eye pain will usually be one-sided pain, because it is local to the part of the brain that had an aneurysm.
The ruptured artery does not necessarily have to be nearby the exact place in the neck where the pain is felt. This is because the nerves in the neck extend a decent distance up and down the neck and head area. Pain will project itself past the site of the aneurysm.
If the right hemisphere is affected it will cause left-sided body paralysis. On the other hand, if the left hemisphere is affected, it will cause right-sided body paralysis.
Experts do not recommend that you drive yourself or have a family member drive you to the hospital. Aneurysms can cause severe debilitation in a short period of time, making it dangerous to be behind the wheel. Call an ambulance for your safety and that of others. Paramedics can get you to the hospital more quickly and perform life-saving procedures on you during transit.
Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA). An aneurysm that happens in the abdominal (stomach) area is called an abdominal aortic aneurysm. This is the most common type of aneurysm and is fatal in 80% of cases. [7] X Trustworthy Source American Heart Association Leading nonprofit that funds medical research and public education Go to source Thoracic aortic aneurysm (TAA). This type of aneurysm is located in the chest area and occurs above the diaphragm. During a TAA, a section near the heart enlarges and affects the valve between the heart and aorta. When this happens, a backflow of blood occurs in heart, causing damage to the cardiac muscles.
The pain is caused by your bulging artery putting pressure on neighboring organs and muscles. The pain usually does not resolve by itself, nor will changing position alleviate it. .
Constipation and difficulty urinating may also occur. Abdominal rigidity can also occur with sudden onset.
Dizziness may also cause fainting. If you feel dizzy along with these other symptoms, try to sit down or rest on the floor, lowering yourself as carefully as you can
This is due to an embolus (moving blood clot) that is formed by the abdominal aneurysm and affects the surface temperature of the skin.
This chest pain feels intense and stabbing. Dull chest pain is probably not a symptom of an aneurysm.
A problem swallowing can be due to the enlarged aorta, which puts pressure on the esophagus and makes it hard to swallow. [15] X Trustworthy Source American Heart Association Leading nonprofit that funds medical research and public education Go to source
This hoarseness will come about suddenly, not over time as with a cold or flu.
This test can only be used to diagnose aortic aneurysms.
During the procedure, a doctor will inject a dye into your vein that makes the aorta and other arteries visible on the CT-scan. This can be used to perform a diagnosis all types of aneurysms. You can have a CT scan done as part of your routine check-up even if you don’t suspect an aneurysm. This is a great way to identify aneurysm as early as possible.
Instead of just 2D, it can create 3D cross-sliced images of the blood vessels in your brain. An MRI can be used to diagnose any type of aneurysm. In some cases, MRI and cerebral angiography may be performed together to support each other. With the use of computer-generated radio waves and magnetic fields, an MRI can produce more detailed images of the brain’s blood vessels compared to a CT scan. The procedure is safe and painless. Unlike an X-ray, an MRI does not involve any radiation and is safe to be used by people who need to avoid radiation, such as pregnant women. [18] X Trustworthy Source National Health Service (UK) Public healthcare system of the UK Go to source
This will show the extent and severity of artery damage – plaque build-up and artery blockage are easily seen with the help of this procedure. Cerebral angiography is only used to detect cerebral aneurysm. This procedure is invasive because it uses a small catheter inserted into the leg and guided through the circulatory system. This procedure will indicate the exact location of the ruptured artery in the brain. After the dye is injected, a series of MRI or X-ray images will then follow to create a detailed image of the blood vessels of the brain.
When the balloon ruptures, continuous bleeding in the brain will occur. Blood is toxic to the brain, and when bleeding happens, it is often called hemorrhagic syndrome. Most brain aneurysms take place in the subarachnoid space, which is the area between the brain and the skull bone.
Smoking elevates your risk of both types of aneurysms. Hypertension, or high blood pressure, damages blood vessels and the lining of the aorta. Aging increases your risk of cerebral aneurysms after age 50. [22] X Trustworthy Source American Academy of Family Physicians Organization devoted to improving the health of patients, families, and communities Go to source The aorta becomes stiffer with age, and the prevalence of aneurysms increases as you get older. [23] X Trustworthy Source National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Research and education center within the National Institutes of Health Go to source Inflammation can cause damage that leads to aneurysms. Conditions like vasculitis (an inflammation of the blood vessels) can damage and scar the aorta. Trauma, such as falls or motor vehicle accidents, can damage the aorta. Infections such as syphilis (an STI) can damage the lining of the aorta. Bacterial or fungal infections of the brain can damage blood vessels and increase the risk of aneurysm. [24] X Trustworthy Source American Academy of Family Physicians Organization devoted to improving the health of patients, families, and communities Go to source Substance use or abuse, especially cocaine use and heavy alcohol consumption, cause hypertension that can lead to brain aneurysms. Gender plays a role in your risk for aneurysms. Men develop aortic aneurysms at a higher rate than women do, but women are at higher risk for developing brain aneurysms. Certain inherited conditions, such as Ehlers-Danlos syndrome and Marfan syndrome (both connective tissue disorders), can cause weakening of cerebral blood vessels and the aorta. [25] X Research source
The sooner you quit, the sooner you can begin to lower your risk. [28] X Research source
Losing weight if you are overweight or obese can reduce your blood pressure. Even losing 10 pounds (4. 5 kg) makes a difference. Get regular exercise. Getting 30 minutes a day of moderate physical exercise can help lower your blood pressure. Limit alcohol. Do not drink more than 1-2 drinks per day (1 for most women, 2 for most men). [30] X Trustworthy Source American Heart Association Leading nonprofit that funds medical research and public education Go to source
Losing weight if you are overweight or obese can reduce your blood pressure. Even losing 10 pounds (4. 5 kg) makes a difference. Get regular exercise. Getting 30 minutes a day of moderate physical exercise can help lower your blood pressure. Limit alcohol. Do not drink more than 1-2 drinks per day (1 for most women, 2 for most men). [30] X Trustworthy Source American Heart Association Leading nonprofit that funds medical research and public education Go to source
Reduce your dietary sodium. Limiting sodium to less than 2,300mg a day (1,500mg a day for people with active high blood pressure diagnoses) will help control blood pressure. [32] X Trustworthy Source Mayo Clinic Educational website from one of the world’s leading hospitals Go to source Reduce your cholesterol. Eating foods high in soluble fiber, especially oatmeal and oat bran, will help reduce “bad” cholesterol (LDL). Apples, pears, kidney beans, barley, and prunes also contain soluble fiber. Omega-3 fatty acids from fatty fish like sardines, tuna, salmon, or halibut will also help reduce your risk. [33] X Trustworthy Source National Health Service (UK) Public healthcare system of the UK Go to source Eat healthy fats. Be sure to avoid saturated fats and trans fats. Fats from fish, vegetable oils (e. g. , olive oil), nuts, and seeds are high in monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats, which can lower your risk. [34] X Research source Avocado is another good source of “good” fat and can help lower your cholesterol. [35] X Trustworthy Source Mayo Clinic Educational website from one of the world’s leading hospitals Go to source
