⚠️ Aneurysm: Signs You Shouldn’t Ignore
An aneurysm is a weakened area in a blood-vessel wall that bulges outward. Many aneurysms cause no symptoms until they rupture, so symptoms can be easy to miss.
🚨 Possible warning signs
Sudden, extremely severe headache — particularly a “worst headache of my life,” which can occur with a ruptured brain aneurysm.
Sudden weakness or numbness — especially on one side, or difficulty speaking or seeing.
Sudden severe chest, back, or abdominal pain — depending on where an aneurysm is located.
A pulsating feeling or lump in the abdomen — can occur with some abdominal aortic aneurysms.
Persistent pain in the chest, abdomen, or back — unexplained pain should be medically assessed, particularly in someone known to have an aneurysm.
🆘 Rupture is an emergency
A ruptured aneurysm can cause life-threatening internal bleeding or bleeding around the brain.
Call your local emergency service immediately for sudden severe headache, sudden severe chest/abdominal/back pain, fainting, collapse, or neurological symptoms such as facial drooping, weakness, or difficulty speaking.
Don’t drive yourself to the hospital if you’re experiencing severe symptoms.
Who may be at higher risk?
Risk varies by aneurysm type, but factors can include older age, smoking, high blood pressure, a family history of aneurysms, and certain inherited conditions.
Importantly, many symptoms listed above have other, much more common causes. Symptoms alone cannot diagnose an aneurysm.
Bottom line: The most dangerous aneurysms may produce no warning symptoms at all. If you have risk factors or have been told you have an aneurysm, follow your clinician’s recommended monitoring and treatment plan.
