Ohio State Representative Stephanie Tubbs Jones died this week in Cleveland from a brain aneurtsm that ruptured while she was driving. She was taken to the Cleveland Clinic and was unable to recover. She was only 58 years old.
Brain aneurysms are little balloon type 'pockets' that are found in the arteries. Many are in the brain but can also be found around the heart or in the legs or other areas of the body.
It is thought that about 4% of people have aneurysms (based on autopsy statistics) which is pretty staggering. Most people don't even know they have an aneurysm and live with it. Unless it ruptures, they can live to be 100 and die of other causes. Aneurysms themselves are not fatal but if they rupture, they can be - and death can be fast. About 10% of people who have an aneurysm will experience a rupture.
WebMD has a question and answer session with Howard Kirshner, MD, professor and chairman of neurology at Vanderbilt University School of Medicine in Nashville. I thought I'd put it here, to educate us a little more about this mysterious but scary condition -
"What is a brain aneurysm?
"An [unruptured] aneurysm looks kind of like a balloon, an out-pouching of an artery," Kirshner says. "It almost always occurs at a point where the artery branches off."
While Tubbs Jones had a cerebral, or brain aneurysm; aneurysms can also occur in the aorta (the major artery from the heart), the leg, and other areas. Aneurysms are related to weaknesses in the blood vessel wall.
How common is a brain aneurysm?
''We think that many people have them -- up to 4% have it at autopsy," Kirshner says, citing research, but many show no symptoms. According to Kirshner, about 5% of people will develop a brain aneurysm during their lifetime, but only about 10% of them will experience a rupture.
As a crude estimate, he says, perhaps 25,000 to 50,000 people a year in the U.S. have a brain hemorrhage caused by a ruptured aneurysm. Family history plays a role, experts believe. Family members of a patient with a brain aneurysm have an increased risk of having one. Yet only a small percentage of these are related to hereditary syndromes associated with aneurysms.
Women are more likely than men to have an aneurysm, and African-Americans have more risk of hemorrhage from an aneurysm than do whites.
What are the symptoms that an aneurysm has ruptured?
Aneurysms often go undetected because they can have no symptoms until they rupture and bleed. When that happens, it can cause a sudden severe headache and sometimes nothing more than that, Kirshner says. "But it is usually not like any other headache you've had. It is very sudden or severe, the worst headache of your life." Other symptoms include severe neck pain, dizziness, nausea, and sensitivity to light.
One-third to nearly half of patients have minor hemorrhages or "warning leaks" that later lead to a severe devastating brain hemorrhage days later.
Sometimes, when an aneurysm ruptures, it can go unnoticed, with the person passing off the headache. But once it ruptures, Kirshner says, it is more likely to re-bleed.
Is there a typical age bracket for aneurysms to rupture?
"They are most common in middle age -- the 40s and 50s are the peak ages," he says. But they can happen at any age. "I've seen them in teenagers. They do occasionally occur in elderly people."
What can someone do to reduce the risk of an aneurysm growing and rupturing?
"Not smoking and treating hypertension prevent aneurysms from growing and rupturing," Kirshner says.
In general, what is the outlook for someone whose brain aneurysm bursts?
The prognosis, Kirshner says, "is very uncertain." A ruptured aneurysm can cause sudden death, he says. In general, "if you are in bad shape right in the beginning, the odds of recovery are much lower." The overall death rate once the aneurysm ruptures is about 40%, he says.
What might be done when the rupture is discovered?
Getting treatment as soon as possible is critical, he says. If it's possible to do surgery, one option is to go in surgically and put a clip across the aneurysm to stop bleeding. "An even more common surgery is to go through the artery and deploy a coil [into the aneurysm, using a tiny catheter] and the coil causes the aneurysm to shut off." The coil causes a clot to form around the sac, sealing off the aneurysm defect."
http://www.webmd.com/brain/news/20080821/aneurysms-common-sometimes-dead...
If anyone has anything to add or had their own experience, I'd love to hear it!
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I had a small stroke in March of this year. They found a 3mm aneurysm in my MCA. 4 Neurosurgeons later (you have to fight and be diligent) I had an angiogram which showed another more dangerous aneurysm in my CPA. Most aneurysms are found incidentally-very common in women 30-60 (everyone I know!)-mostly fatal (its a blessing to you if you have symptoms). You are supposed to have a mammogram at 35, colonoscopy by 50, why not a non-invasive CAT? Three people I know died of aneurysms this year. I have 2 I didn't know about. Easy test and no reason to die! Surgery on Tuesday, cross your fingers for me!!!!
December 4, 2015 - 7:55pmThis Comment
I have a really close friend of mine who's been having similar symptoms to the ones my mom has (she has an aneurysm that burst barely survived and lives very painfully now ) He's been having sudden migraine out of nowhere, his leg has suddenly given up yesterday (he did fall) and parts of sometime his leg or arm suddenly starts twitching weirdly. He's gone to see a doctor...but we live in Thailand doctors here tend to ignore such a possibility. So he had an X-Ray of his leg and nothing was wrong, the doc said if it keep happening he will be given an appointment with an orthopedic...My friend won't get a got damn MRI...he just keeps saying "it's nothing big it will pass" and I just want to reply "you sure you won't pass with it?" . I've been through losing my mom (she's not herself anymore, we lived in different countries I lived with my dad because I decided to but after her aneurysm ruptured she started being really "not herself" depression took over her, she started to creat lies and fight with me to the point my sister was taken away from her and sent back to my dad and I by the social services two years ago...and for the last year I haven't heard from her so in a way I lost her) I couldn't bare to lose this friend, his like my brother. He's made me so strong helped me through so much, he's my and my fiancees best friend. I may be overthinking. but I've seen those symptoms and I don't want to lose him. What should I do?
November 18, 2015 - 8:53amThis Comment
brain aneurysms are very scary I had one when I was 12. I'm now 24. When I was 12 I had only been in 6th grade and I had become very sick. Started complaining of head aches, had weakness on my right side often, couldn't keep food down, and constantly throwing up. I would cry at night because my head would hurt so bad. Finally one morning when I woke up one morning my right eye had rolled to the corner and I went to my mother freaking. I had just gotten a new pair of glasses so she called the eye doctor to see what was wrong. They did some test and sent me for an MRI. I had gotten myself in my Johnny and waited for them to call my name I was talking and doing somewhat okay. By the time I came out to my MRI I could barely walk, talk, or even dress myself. needless to say I was airlifted to an emergency surgery. my brain aneurysm had interrupted during the MRI.
It's amazino that I'm a mother today to 2 children. I could not have them natural due to the brain aneurysm some times I wonder what may happen later in life.
June 22, 2015 - 8:45pmThis Comment
I HAD A REALLY BAD HEADACHE. THE WORST ONE I HAVE EVER HAD.
November 10, 2015 - 11:36amI WAS FOLDING LAUNDRY WHEN IT CAME ON. IT WAS ALMOST LIKE EATING A COLD DRINK AND YOU GET A HEAD FREEZE. I RARELY GET HEADACHES SO I THOUGHT IT WAS ODD THAT I GOT ONE FOR NO REASON. I WAS NOT DOING ANYTHING STRESSFUL. I ALSO NOTICED MY NECK STARTED TO HURT. IT STARTED BURNING DOWN THE BACK OF MY HEAD. MY NECK GOT STIFF AND I FELT LIKE I PULLED MY NECK OUT.
THATS WHAT I THOUGHT IT WAS. WELL, THE PAIN GOT WORSE AND I NOTICED MY EYE LIDS LOOKING DROOPY. MY HUSBAND CALLED AND SAID GO TO OUR CHIROPRACTOR. I DIDN'T LISTEN TO HIM. I HAD A STRANGE FEELING SOMETHING ELSE WAS WRONG. MOST PEOPLE WOULD PROBABLY JUST WAIT A DAY AND SEE IF THE PAIN GOES AWAY.
MY SISTER HAPPEN TO COME OVER THAT NIGHT AND TOOK ONE LOOK AT ME AND SAID WHAT IS WRONG. I TOLD HER MY HEAD AND NECK HURTS AND IT WILL GO AWAY AFTER THE TYLENOL KICKS IN. SHE SAID IM TAKING YOU TO THE HOSPITAL. YOU NEVER GET HEADACHES LIKE THAT AND I DON'T LIKE THE WAY YOUR MOVING YOUR NECK. TO MAKE A LONG STORY SHORT. SHE SAVED MY LIFE.......I LOVE HER....I WENT TO THE ER AND THEY DID SOME TEST AND SAW THAT I HAD A BRAIN ANEURYSM. I WAS IN SHOCK. IM 50 AND IN GREAT SHAPE. THATS THE LAST THING I THOUGHT I WOULD EVER GET SICK FROM. WITHIN 1 HOUR I WAS IN SURGERY. THEY PUT A COIL IN MY BRAIN TO STOP THE BLEEDING. IT ALSO RUPTURED AGAIN DURING SURGERY. I ENDED UP SPENDING 2 WEEKS IN ICU AND I WEEK IN A REGULAR ROOM. MY FAMILY WAS IN SHOCK. I AM SO LUCKY THAT I HAD NO DAMAGE DONE. IF YOU EVER GET A REALLY BAD BAD HEADACHE DONT THINK TWICE. SOMETHING MAY BE WRONG. ESPECIALLY IF YOU DON'T GET BAD ONES. I HAVE BEEN HOME A WEEK AND FEEL AMAZING. I JUST HAVE TO TAKE THINGS SLOW. NO GOLFING FOR A MONTH OR LIFTING HEAVY THINGS. I'M GONNA MISS BEING BABIES SO MUCH:) FEEL LIKE A MOVIE STAR OR SOMETHING. SO MUCH ATTENTION FROM EVERYONE:)
MY MOTHER PASSED AWAY FROM THE SAME THING. THE DOCTOR TOLD MY SISTER AND CHILDREN THAT THEY ALL NEED A CAT SCAN ASAP BECAUSE IT'S HEREDITARY. I HAVE TO GO EVERY 6 MONTHS TO GET A CAT SCAN. MY FAMILY AND FRIENDS BROUGHT TEARS TO MY EYES KNOWING HOW MUCH THEY LOVED ME AND WAS THERE FOR ME THE ENTIRE TIME. PEOPLE THAT I HAVE NOT EVEN TALKED TO IN YEARS CONTACTED THE FAMILY. I JUST WANTED TO SHARE MY STORY. IT FEELS GOOD TO TALK ABOUT IT.
This Comment
I have just had this bad headache dizziness n my body I felt a pop on my right side of brain n felt leaking n my whole right side of body got numb and weak I'm not feeling numb no more but weak I am so do I get to er
June 8, 2015 - 6:17pmThis Comment
Scary, all scary. Aneurysms are asymptomatic. I have one, found after a stroke. Very healthy 54 yr old triathlete, no physical complaints. My neurosurgeons disagree. Cerebral middle atery. Just glad to know it exists but why won't anyone take action? They just keep referring me!!!
June 5, 2015 - 10:54pmThis Comment
OMG, you are me. 54 very healthy, triathlete, runner. No symptoms. Symptoms are a blessing. They refuse to take action until minimum 6 mm. Request a cerebral angiogram. Neurosurgeon shop, don't settle. I found a great neuro in the least likely of places. He is awesome. You'll know when you find the right one. Trust yourself and fight. Tell everyone you love that this is happening to you because they just don't know. I had three people I know die of this this year. Because it is sudden and asymptomatic it gets swept away. Awareness is key!! Aortic aneurysms: stomach, brain, heart, extremities.... for God sake get an MRA!!!!!!
December 4, 2015 - 8:18pmThis Comment
OMG, You are me!!! Found a CMA aneurysm after a stroke in March. 2 Neurosurgeons visited and a Neuroradiologist and I just keep getting referred. They want another opinion! No action in sight. Lately experiencing Dizziness, Nausea and Vomiting. I feel like I am living with a ticking time bomb and they are playing a game called "Wait, Burst & Die" SO SCARY!!!!!! 54 years old, runner, triathlete, healthy, no physical complaints and no prescription meds, until now!!!!
June 10, 2015 - 12:16amThis Comment
doctors referred my mum to gantry hospital sent her home after detecting it and 3 days later brain dead
June 6, 2015 - 7:23amThis Comment
I'm a survivor. In Jan 2011 I woke up with a heavy feeling in my chest, thought I was having a heart attack, then became extremely dizzy and violently ill. My husband called 911. Once there they gave me a ct and found a 1.6cm annie on my basilar tip artery. I was helicoptered to a trauma center were it was coiled and stented. I've had 2 more surgery's on it to total 17 coils and 1 stent. I had headaches prior, kept telling my DR that it felt like someone was hitting me in the head with a hammer, she kept saying it was my neck, I argued that my neck was lower than the back of my head! Needless to say, I don't go her anymore. Be persistent, you know if there's something not right with you. I am very blessed, I should be dead. I am now in a study because they believe that people are predisposed to annies through their genes, and also that many who have cerebral annies also are at a higher risk for aortic annies and vice versa. My genetics were tested and I carry the same genotype as others with annies, today, I'm going for a sonogram to check for a aortic annie. I've had no symptoms, but there is a higher risk. Please don't take chances, if you or a loved on is at risk, get checked! Support education and research on aneurysms, even if it is just by signing a petition or a letter to your congressperson!
June 5, 2015 - 5:13amThis Comment