Aneurysms

Summary

An aneurysm is a bulge or “ballooning” in the wall of an artery. Arteries are blood vessels that carry oxygen-rich blood from the heart to other parts of the body. If an aneurysm grows large, it can burst and cause dangerous bleeding or even death.

Most aneurysms occur in the aorta, the main artery that runs from the heart through the chest and abdomen. Aneurysms also can happen in arteries in the brain, heart and other parts of the body. If an aneurysm in the brain bursts, it causes a stroke.

Aneurysms can develop and become large before causing any symptoms. Often doctors can stop aneurysms from bursting if they find and treat them early. They use imaging tests to find aneurysms. Often aneurysms are found by chance during tests done for other reasons. Medicines and surgery are the two main treatments for aneurysms.

NIH: National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute

National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute

Patient Handouts

• Aneurysm Medical Encyclopedia
• Magnetic resonance angiography Medical Encyclopedia

Treatments and Therapies

• Aneurysm Repair Texas Heart Institute
• Catheter Embolization Radiological Society of North America

Clinical Trials

• ClinicalTrials.gov: Aneurysm National Institutes of Health

Reference Desk

• Glossary Vascular Cures

Diagnosis and Tests

• Heart Health Tests: MedlinePlus Health Topic National Library of Medicine
• Tests for Lung Disease National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
• Ultrasound — Vascular Radiological Society of North America

Find an Expert

• National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute

Journal Articles

• Aneurysms, aneurysms

Related Issues

• What Causes a Pseudoaneurysm? Should a Pseudoaneurysm Always be Treated? Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research

Start Here

• What Is Aortic Aneurysm? National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute