There are several risk factors that contribute to the weakness of the arterial wall causing the risk of developing an aneurysm or aneurysm rupture. If we count on the risk factors it must beunderstood that some of the risk factors may develop over time but there are conditions since birth that increase the chances of aneurysm.
Hypertension is the biggest risk factor for brainaneurysms. High alcohol consumption, stress, and genetic factors are other contributing factors that play a critical role in the increase of aneurysms. Eventually, high BP causes the aneurysm togrow abnormally. However, it is vital to get an insight into aneurysm so that it can beprevented.A brain aneurysm, known as a cerebral aneurysm or intracranial aneurysm, is just like a balloonbulging on the intracranial blood vessel in the brain. It forms and grows on a weak area of bloodvessels increasing the size of the brain aneurysm over time. The most alarming factor is thatwhen it ruptures, it leads to subarachnoid haemorrhage.
Aneurysm is commonly visible in females within the age group of 30-50 years old. Changinglifestyle such as high incidence of smoking, intake of alcohol, and drugs such as cocaine becomes the contributing factors of mycotic aneurysm. Yes, aneurysm is hereditary and certainhereditary risks such as a family history of aneurysm that includes two or more of the degree ofrelatives having aneurysm increases the chance of suffering from aneurysm. Other factors such as polycystic kidney disorder can be the cause of intracranial aneurysm.
When an aneurysm ruptures, bleeding lasts only for a few seconds but blood can cause damageto the surrounding cells and kill the brain cells causing an increase in pressure in the brain. Thecomplication also includes rebleeding and vasospasm that can cause ischemic stroke and anelectrolytic imbalance in the body. The number of cerebral aneurysm cases reported each yearin India ranges from 76,000 to 2,00,000. Patients’ access to quality, affordable healthcare andtheir knowledge of their disease have a substantial impact on the level of medical care they receive.
Aneurysms are a hereditary ailment that may occurwith other conditions including Marfa Syndrome and Ehlers-Danlos syndrome. Although mostcases are asymptomatic, they can nonetheless result in symptoms including headaches. Forsymptomatic instances, diagnosis is essential and can be made with CT or MRI scans. Asaneurysms are linked to cardiac problems, they can also be found in the brain. The mostprevalent condition that is linked to anorexia is high blood pressure, which, if uncontrolled, canresult in symptoms including weakness, blurred vision, and vomiting.
Depending on the size, aneurysms can be treated using coiling, balloon-associated coiling, stent-associated coiling, and slow-diverting stents. Small aneurysms without symptoms are frequently left untreated. For detection, serial follow-up is essential. Headaches and other severe symptoms should be checked as part of early detection. Controlling hypertension is essential for preventing aneurysm rupture and enlargement.
(The author is a consultant neurologist.)
(Published 28 October 2023, 19:41 IST)