Cerebral aneurysms result from weakened spots within blood vessels, which can bulge due to the pressure of the blood flow through the vessel. Brain aneurysms do not always rupture, but when they do it causes a serious health condition known as haemorrhagic stroke. Ruptured aneurysms can be life-threatening, which is why finding the right treatment is so important.
Certain risk factors can increase a person’s chances of developing an aneurysm. These risk factors include:
Infections and head injuries can also cause a person’s chance of experiencing an aneurysm to increase.
Treatment approaches can vary depending on whether the aneurysm has ruptured. Surgery is a must for ruptured aneurysms, but doctors may also prescribe certain medications to manage symptoms. This can include calcium channel blockers, which reduce blood pressure and lower one’s risk of experiencing a stroke. Because ruptured aneurysms can also cause seizures, doctors may prescribe anti-seizure medications.
As for non-ruptured aneurysms, doctors may recommend that the condition be monitored. This is often true when a person is not experiencing symptoms and is not impacted by risk factors. Blood pressure medications like calcium channel blockers can also be beneficial for unruptured aneurysms.