Aneurysms – Everything You Should Know About Them

What is an aneurysm? An aneurysm appears when a weakened section of an artery expands, given the pressure resulted by the flowing blood. Whereas there are specific arteries that are more predisposed to it, it can affect each part of the body. One of the most inclined areas to develop aneurysms is known as the aorta – the body’s core artery that is responsible for supplying oxygenated blood to the circulatory system. Concurrently, the arteries found in the legs, spleen and brain are also more prone to this condition.

Generally speaking, aneurysms that occur in the brain and aorta are known as severe, meaning they are life-threatening. For example, an aortic aneurysm – which is an aneurysm in the aorta – can lead to acute hemorrhage or internal bleeding. In the case in which a cerebral aneurysm strikes, one may suffer from a severe stroke.

It becomes quite problematic if an aneurysm ruptures. That places the individual’s life in danger because this condition grows the risks of blood clot formation, which can be the leading cause of an embolism.

Can it be treated?

Because, mainly, an aneurysm doesn’t present a set of noticeable symptoms, someone who presents a risk of suffering from it should have a proper examination done by a professional. Various diagnostic tools are helpful in locating an aneurysm, enabling a specialist to reinforce the area through surgery. However, surgery is not the only alternative for treating an aneurysm. For example, high cholesterol levels and high blood pressure – both being leading causes to aneurysms – can be treated with appropriate medication or natural remedies.

Depending on the location, there are multiple types of aneurysms, as it follows:

• An aortic aneurysm. Being located in the aorta, a specialist will consider widening a section of the aorta when an aneurysm is 1.5 times larger than its initial size.
• A ventricular aneurysm. For this kind of aneurysm, a wall of the heart is involved. It occurs, mainly, as a result of a previous heart attack.
• A cerebral aneurysm. Known as a berry aneurysm, it’s typically located in the blood vessel that supplies blood to the brain. Distinct from an aortic aneurysm, any extended blood vessel of the brain is perceived as an aneurysm.
• Other kinds of aneurysms. As it was previously mentioned, an aneurysm can occur in any part of the body, including the intestine, spleen, knee, and so on and so forth.

Medical experts haven’t put the finger on the root of this health condition yet. Still, various factors are known to contribute, to some extent, to its appearance. There are cases in which a person may be born with damaged tissues in the arteries – if that happens, that area may form an aneurysm. The presence of fatty deposits inside the arteries’ inner walls together with high blood pressure is also known to contribute to this condition. At the same time, it seems that men are more likely to develop aneurysms, as compared to women. The age is a factor that plays a significant role in the equation, as well as an unhealthy, unsuitable diet. All in all – fostering a healthy lifestyle, eliminating smoking, and alcohol intake, exercising, and stress-management can help individuals keep this condition at a distance.