An aneurysm is a balloon-like bulge that happens in a weak blood vessel, normally at the point where the vessel branches. An aneurysm that forms in the brain is called a cerebral aneurysm.
Aneurysm Prognosis
These aneurysms are generally only symptomatic if they burst and typically go undiscovered otherwise. If an aneurysm does burst, nevertheless, the consequences can be harmful. The rupture of an aneurysm is described subarachnoid hemorrhage, an event that can lead to severe mental retardation, paralysis or death. The outcome for a patient with a burst cerebral aneurysm depends upon numerous aspects which include:
- Age of the patient
- Level of the aneurysm
- Area of the aneurysm
- General health of the patient
- Neurological condition after rupture of the aneurysm
While some patients may suffer mental retardation, paralysis or death as a result of intracranial bleeding, other individuals recover with little or no neurological effects.
The two primary elements that determine patient outcome in cases of subarachnoid hemorrhage are age and the Hunt and Hess grade, a scale that is used to categorize the severity of the hemorrhage based on the patient’s scientific condition. The greater the Hunt and Hess grade on admission to health center, the lower the possibility of survival.
The Hunt and Hess scale varies from grade 1 where a patient might be asymptomatic through to grade 5, where a patient may be in a coma or have a stiff posture with their limbs extended, pointed and tense.
For patients that are young and have a Hunt and Hess grade I or II on medical facility admission, death or long-term special needs are unlikely results. Older people with a Hunt and Hess grade of III to V on admission, however, have a poor prognosis. Overall, around two thirds of all patients have a bad outcome after subarachnoid hemorrhage.
Although it can be tough to spot cerebral aneurysm and prepare for subarachnoid hemorrhage, there are several lifestyle elements that can be modified to decrease the risk of these aneurysms forming. Examples of step that can be taken to minimize the risk for cerebral aneurysm include stopping smoking cigarettes and managing any cases of high blood pressure with using suitable medication.
Brain Aneurysm Survival Rate Statistics and Facts
- Between 10 to 15 percent of individuals diagnosed with a brain aneurysm will possess multiple aneurysms.
- Roughly 6 million individuals in the United States are living with an unruptured aneurysm in the brain, which equates to about 2% of the population.
- Prompt and precise detection of the condition is crucial because the initial bleeding can be fatal, cause severe neurological damage, or manifest with minor symptoms. Even with the wide availability of brain imaging techniques, up to a quarter of individuals with subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) are misdiagnosed or experience delays in their diagnosis when they initially seek medical care. Not conducting a brain scan accounts for 73% of these incorrect diagnoses. Consequently, SAH is characterized as a disease with a low occurrence but high potential for serious consequences.
- Treating a brain aneurysm using open brain surgery and clipping becomes over twice as expensive once the aneurysm has ruptured. When a less invasive coiling technique, which uses a catheter, is used to handle a brain aneurysm, the price increases by approximately 70% if the aneurysm has already burst.
- Approximately 15% of individuals who experience a subarachnoid hemorrhage due to an aneurysm pass away before they can be admitted to a hospital. The primary cause of mortality in cases of subarachnoid hemorrhage is the initial, severe brain damage caused by the bleeding, which cannot be remedied through either surgical or medical treatments.
- Subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) stands out as a particularly alarming reason for severe headaches that patients present with in the emergency department. Headaches are the reason for 1 to 2 percent of all ER consultations and can make up to 4 percent of general practitioner visits. Of those arriving at the emergency room due to headaches, approximately 1 percent are suffering from a subarachnoid hemorrhage. According to one study, this percentage could be as high as 4 percent.
- Hispanics experience ruptures at nearly double the rate compared to whites, with a ratio of 1.67 to 1.
- African-Americans experience ruptures at a rate that is double that of white individuals, with a ratio of 2.1 to 1.
- Every year, brain aneurysms are responsible for close to 500,000 fatalities globally, and approximately half of those who die are under the age of 50.
- Brain aneurysms affect women at a higher frequency than men, with the occurrence rate being three women for every two men.
- A study conducted in 2004 revealed that both individuals who survived a brain aneurysm break and their caregivers together faced an annual loss in income totaling $138 million.
- Four in seven individuals recovering from a ruptured brain aneurysm will experience some form of disability.
- Every year, roughly 8 to 10 out of every 100,000 individuals experience a ruptured brain aneurysm, amounting to around 30,000 people in the United States. A brain aneurysm ruptures every 18 minutes on average. Approximately 40% of these incidents result in death. Among the survivors, around two-thirds sustain lasting damage to their nervous system.
- Most aneurysms are small, ranging in size from roughly 1/8 inch to just under one inch, and it is estimated that between 50 and 80 percent of all aneurysms will not rupture over a person’s lifespan. Aneurysms that exceed one inch in size are classified as “large” and represent a particularly significant danger, often proving to be challenging to manage.
- Brain aneurysms generally occur in individuals between the ages of 35 and 60 but can also happen in kids. The average age for a hemorrhagic stroke caused by an aneurysm is 50, and such events often present with no prior indicators. Aneurysms tend to form in people who are older than 40.
- Brain aneurysms that have burst are responsible for 3 to 5 percent of all newly occurring strokes.
Popular Answer Related Brain Aneurysm
What’s the difference between a ruptured and unruptured aneurysm?
Answer: A ruptured aneurysm, often called a brain bleed, is when blood breaks through the aneurysm’s wall and begins bleeding. This triggers serious symptoms, such as a very painful headache like you’ve never ever felt previously, and requires instant healthcare. With fast, expert treatment, patients can typically recover totally.
What does an aneurysm look like?
Answer: Under a surgical microscope, an aneurysm looks like a bubble or blister in a blood vessel. Healthy, surrounding arteries have a pinkish color. The aneurysm looks more reddish, because of a defect in the middle layer of its muscle wall. Many aneurysms take one of two basic shapes:
– Saccular aneurysms, likewise called berry aneurysms, have a rounded shape that extends from one side of a vessel wall. This type makes up the majority of brain aneurysms identified today.
– Fusiform aneurysms are likewise called “spindle shaped.” These look like a snake that swallowed a rat, with ballooning on both sides instead of one. Unlike saccular, these aneurysms tend to form outside the brain and can develop in blood vessels in various parts of the body.
What can you do to prevent aneurysms?
Answer: There are risk elements for forming aneurysms. Those threat aspects consist of smoking cigarettes, uncontrolled hypertension and a family history of aneurysms. The very best thing a patient can do is to take blood pressure medication and avoid smoking.
Stories of people with cerebral aneurysm
Story 1: The Unexpected Discovery
At 55, Sarah was an active professional who took her health seriously. With no significant medical history, her sudden severe headache during a work presentation came as a shock. Initial thoughts of it being a migraine were dismissed when she started to experience dizziness and blurred vision.
Upon visiting the emergency room, a CT scan and subsequent angiography revealed an unruptured cerebral aneurysm. Sarah’s world was upended by this discovery. Her doctors explained that while her aneurysm had not leaked or burst, it required monitoring and potentially preventive treatment.
Lifestyle changes were a significant part of Sarah’s treatment plan. She reduced her sodium intake, committed to regular exercise, and controlled her blood pressure through medication. After a period of observation, her doctor ultimately recommended a surgical procedure called endovascular coiling to prevent rupture.
Story 2: The Survivor
John, a 45-year-old school teacher, had a life-changing episode one evening when his cerebral aneurysm burst while he was watching TV. The sudden “worst headache of his life,” followed by loss of consciousness, led him to be rushed to the hospital by his wife.
Following emergency surgery, which included a procedure called clipping to seal off the ruptured aneurysm, John spent several weeks in the hospital. The rupture had caused a stroke, leaving John with some weakness on his left side. Intensive rehabilitation, including physical and occupational therapy, became an integral part of his recovery.
John’s lifestyle post-treatment focused on careful management of his risk factors. He adopted a low-fat diet, ceased smoking, and made sure to keep his routine health check-ups. His commitment to rehabilitation helped him regain most of his strength and return to teaching part-time.
Story 3: Living with Uncertainty
Linda, a 60-year-old retiree, discovered her 3mm cerebral aneurysm fortuitously during an MRI scan for a different health issue. Her neurologist decided that, given the small size and her lack of symptoms, they would adopt a conservative, watchful waiting approach.
Living with the knowledge of having an aneurysm was mentally challenging for Linda. She sought support groups, both in-person and online, to connect with others in similar situations. Linda also focused on her overall brain health, taking up meditation, brain games, and ensuring adequate sleep to reduce her stress levels.
Linda’s neurologist created a surveillance plan which included routine imaging studies to monitor the aneurysm’s size. As part of her treatment, Linda rigorously controlled hypertension, a known aneurysm risk factor, through a combination of diet, exercise, and medication.
Each patient’s story with cerebral aneurysm is unique, defined by the nature of the aneurysm, its management, and the individual’s response to the condition and its treatment. Lifestyle modifications and individualized treatment plans play crucial roles in managing cerebral aneurysms and minimizing their potential life-threatening complications.
