Does an aneurysm cause high blood pressure

An aneurysm is a ballooning at a weak spot in an artery wall. An aneurysm's walls can be thin enough to rupture. The illustration shows an individual with an unruptured aneurysm. The inset shows what happens when the aneurysm ruptures.

Does an aneurysm cause high blood pressure

The Dangers of Brain Aneurysm

Aneurysms can lurk without symptoms, but screening can save lives.

Click here for an infographic to learn more

A brain aneurysm (AN-yoo-riz-um) is a bulge or ballooning in a blood vessel in the brain. An aneurysm often looks like a berry hanging on a stem.

A brain aneurysm can leak or rupture, causing bleeding into the brain (hemorrhagic stroke). Most often, a ruptured brain aneurysm occurs in the space between the brain and the thin tissues covering the brain. This type of hemorrhagic stroke is called a subarachnoid hemorrhage.

A ruptured aneurysm quickly becomes life-threatening and requires prompt medical treatment.

Most brain aneurysms, however, don't rupture, create health problems or cause symptoms. Such aneurysms are often detected during tests for other conditions.

Treatment for an unruptured brain aneurysm may be appropriate in some cases and may prevent a rupture in the future. Talk with your health care provider to ensure you understand the best options for your specific needs.

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Symptoms

Ruptured aneurysm

A sudden, severe headache is the key symptom of a ruptured aneurysm. This headache is often described as the "worst headache" ever experienced.

In addition to a severe headache, common signs and symptoms of a ruptured aneurysm include:

  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Stiff neck
  • Blurred or double vision
  • Sensitivity to light
  • Seizure
  • A drooping eyelid
  • Loss of consciousness
  • Confusion

'Leaking' aneurysm

In some cases, an aneurysm may leak a slight amount of blood. This leaking may cause only a sudden, extremely severe headache.

A more severe rupture often follows leaking.

Unruptured aneurysm

An unruptured brain aneurysm may produce no symptoms, particularly if it's small. However, a larger unruptured aneurysm may press on brain tissues and nerves, possibly causing:

  • Pain above and behind one eye
  • A dilated pupil
  • A change in vision or double vision
  • Numbness of one side of the face

When to see a doctor

Seek immediate medical attention if you develop a:

  • Sudden, extremely severe headache

If you're with someone who complains of a sudden, severe headache or who loses consciousness or has a seizure, call 911 or your local emergency number.

Brain aneurysms develop as a result of thinning artery walls. Aneurysms often form at forks or branches in arteries because those areas of the vessels are weaker.

Although aneurysms can appear anywhere in the brain, they are most common in arteries at the base of the brain.

Mayo Clinic Minute: What is an aneurysm?

Show transcript for video Mayo Clinic Minute: What is an aneurysm?

An aneurysm is an abnormal bulge or ballooning in the wall of a blood vessel.

"A proportion of these patients will go on to have a rupture. And the challenge with rupture is that it's unpredictable."

Dr. Bernard Bendok says a ruptured aneurysm is a medical emergency that can cause life-threatening bleeding in the brain.

"The typical presentation is somebody who has the worst headache of their life."

Fast treatment is essential. It includes open surgery, or less-invasive options, such as sealing the ruptured artery from within the blood vessel with metal coils and/or stents.

Dr. Bendok says 1 to 2 percent of the population have aneurysms, and only a small percentage of that group will experience a rupture. People who have a family history of aneurysms, have polycystic kidney disease, connective tissue disease, and people who smoke are at increased risk of rupture, and should consider screening. If a rupture happens, fast treatment can save lives.

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Does an aneurysm affect blood pressure?

When a thoracic aortic aneurysm ruptures, symptoms may include: sudden and severe chest pain. sudden back pain. significant drop in blood pressure.

Can an aortic aneurysm affect blood pressure?

Aortic aneurysms are typically found during physicals at a doctor's office. When an aneurysm bursts, you might experience lightheadedness, dizziness, sharp pain in the chest, back, or abdomen, decreasing blood pressure, loss of breath, or loss of consciousness.

What should blood pressure be with an aneurysm?

To prevent DNID, we recommend that optimal blood pressure should not be lower than 95 for SBP, 50 for DBP, and 61.7 mmHg for MAP. Additionally, we suggest that Δ SBP, Δ DBP, and Δ MAP should be less than 36, 27, and 32 mmHg, respectively.

What are the symptoms of an unruptured aneurysm?

Symptoms of an unruptured brain aneurysm can include:.
visual disturbances, such as loss of vision or double vision..
pain above or around your eye..
numbness or weakness on 1 side of your face..
difficulty speaking..
headaches..
loss of balance..
difficulty concentrating or problems with short-term memory..