Seek Medical Attention Immediately If You Are Experiencing Some Or All Of The Symptoms Listed Under Warning Signs/Symptoms.
If you begin to experience symptoms of a ruptured aneurysm, CALL 911. We do not encourage you to allow a family member to take you in a private vehicle to the hospital. This is a high stress situation that may require the paramedics to execute lifesaving procedures in the emergency vehicle. Patients who present to the emergency room with the “worst headache of their life” need a thorough neurologic evaluation which includes diagnostic testing such as a CT scan and/or lumbar puncture to evaluate for SAH.
High Risk Groups For Aneurysm
Certain people have a higher risk for brain aneurysms than the general population. These include individuals with a strong family history (more than one first degree relative with brain aneurysm), or a history of certain conditions such as polycystic kidney disease or collagen vascular diseases. If you are such an individual, screening for brain aneurysms using imaging such as MRA, may be advisable. You should discuss this with your primary care physician.
After Discovery Of An Unruptured Aneurysm
Brain aneurysms are discovered more and more frequently in people undergoing brain imaging, such as MRI, for other reasons, such as evaluation of headaches, after head trauma or in work-up of other neurological symptoms. Often in these situations, the aneurysm itself is an incidental finding, unrelated to the symptoms that prompted the imaging. However, once diagnosed, it is important to consult with a neurosurgeon to review the findings, determine if further imaging is needed, and discuss management options.
These options can include:
Observation with follow-up imaging at future intervals to monitor for any change or growth of the aneurysm
Aneurysm treatment with either surgical clipping or endovascular coiling.
It is important to discuss and explore these options with a physician specializing in aneurysm management.
