An aneurysm is an artery enlargement caused by arterial wall weakness. The patient may not see any symptoms, but a ruptured aneurysm might have fatal complications. As per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, aortic aneurysms are responsible for more than 25,000 deaths in the country every year. Approximately 30,000 brain aneurysm rupture cases are reported annually in the country, and about forty percent of these cases result in death within twenty-four hours.

Causes
Even though the precise cause of an aneurysm is unclear, some factors may contribute to the condition. For instance, the damaged tissue in the arteries is one of the causes. Blockages, like fatty deposits, can also be harmful to the arteries. These arteries make the heart work harder than usual to push the blood across the fatty buildup. The added stress from increased pressure damages the arteries.

• Atherosclerotic disease: It is one of the primary causes of aneurysms. People with atherosclerotic disease have some plaque buildup in their arteries. Plaque is a solid substance containing fat, cholesterol, and other substances. It damages the arteries and prevents the blood from moving freely.
• High blood pressure: High blood pressure might also result in an aneurysm. The pressure exerted by the blood on the walls of the arteries helps measure the force of its flow within the blood vessels. When the pressure is above the typical level, it weakens or enlarges the blood vessels. Normal blood pressure for adults is 120/80 mm Hg. When the blood pressure is significantly higher, it aggravates the risk of blood vessel, heart, and circulation concerns. However, higher-than-normal blood pressure does not always put one at risk of an aneurysm.

Other risk factors

Beyond the two primary causes of aneurysms, some risk factors add to one’s susceptibility. Moreover, the type of aneurysm that can affect the patient also depends on the specific risk factors.

• Sex: Males are more susceptible to having aneurysms than females.
• Age: The risk of an aneurysm is higher in people sixty-five or older.
• Familial link: A family history of heart conditions like a heart attack or a heart disease also puts one at risk.
• What one eats: Consuming foods rich in cholesterol and fat also aggravates susceptibility to an aneurysm.
• Pregnancy: Pregnant women are also at risk of having a spleen aneurysm.

Symptoms
Some aneurysms develop slowly and do not trigger any symptoms in the initial period. Hence, doctors screen people for risk factors that may result in an aneurysm. The aneurysm symptoms depend on where in the body it occurs. But aneurysms are clinically silent, and patients see no signs unless the aneurysm ruptures. But an unruptured aneurysm might also hinder circulation to other tissues. They may also result in blood clots that may obstruct smaller blood vessels. It is known as thromboembolism and can result in an ischemic stroke. Sometimes the complications are more severe. Symptoms may be present in cases where abdominal aneurysms experience rapid growth. Usually, people with abdominal aneurysms complain of a pulsating sensation in the abdomen, lower back pain, and abdominal pain.

Similarly, a thoracic aneurysm will affect nearby nerves or other blood vessels, resulting in breathing and swallowing difficulties and pain in the upper back, chest, and jaw. Sometimes symptoms associated with an aneurysm can be attributed to the underlying cause rather than the aneurysm itself. For instance, if an aneurysm is caused by vasculitis, which involves inflammation of the blood vessels, an individual might experience symptoms such as malaise, fever, and weight loss.

Diagnosis

In most people, the diagnosis of aneurysm is accidental. It might happen when a patient is undergoing tests for other health issues. However, if they have a family history of aneurysms, their healthcare professional might recommend they undergo the following tests for diagnosis:

• Thoracic aortic aneurysm: MRI or CT scans, echocardiogram
• Brain aneurysm: CT scan or MRI
• Abdominal aortic aneurysm: Ultrasound scan

Treatment options
Unfortunately, one of the only treatment options for an aneurysm is an endovascular procedure or surgery for repair. However, in some people, surgery may not be possible or might cause a more severe danger than the aneurysm itself. In this case, the doctor may advise careful monitoring. Further, they may also prescribe some treatment options to keep symptoms in check.
Before everything else, the healthcare professional will assess the aneurysm’s location, type, and size. It helps them devise the best treatment plan. If the aneurysm is inoperable, the doctor will prescribe treatment to reduce blood pressure or moderate the intensity of the heart’s contractions. Doing so lowers the aneurysm rupture risk. In most cases, even when the aneurysm is operable, the doctor will first introduce treatment options to closely monitor and assess its impact. The patient will undergo surgery only if the doctor believes the aneurysm has become massive and can be fatal. In addition, the surgeon will insert a clip to stop blood flow to the affected area. However, if it is impossible to remove an aneurysm, the doctor will replace that artery section with a synthetic graft.