Can You Have a Brain Aneurysm Without Symptoms?

Aneurysms are bulging portions of arteries, where pressure from your blood reacts with a weak spot in blood vessel walls. They are common. Most aneurysms cause no symptoms or health problems unless they leak or rupture. 

It’s common for brain aneurysms to be found during testing for other conditions. Treatment of aneurysms that haven’t ruptured can help prevent bleeding in the brain in the future. 

Our team at Coast Neurosurgical Associates in Long Beach, California, specializes in brain aneurysm services. From diagnosis to surgery, we can help minimize the risks you may face from these potentially dangerous blood vessel disorders. 

Types of aneurysm

As much as 6% of the population (about 39 million people in the United States) have unruptured aneurysms. Ruptured aneurysms are far less common, with about 30,000 cases annually. 

The most common type is called a berry (saccular) aneurysm. Resembling a fruit hanging from a vine, berry aneurysms typically form on arteries at the base of the brain. 

Fusiform aneurysms cause bulb-like bulges affecting the circumference of artery walls. 

Mycotic aneurysms result from infections that affect arteries in the brain, weakening the walls. 

You can have brain aneurysms without symptoms, particularly when they’re small. When aneurysms expand and grow, they can press against brain tissue or nerves. This could cause neurological disorders or pain. 

Signs of a ruptured aneurysm

Severe headaches that come on suddenly are the most significant symptom of a ruptured aneurysm. Often described by people as the worst headache they’ve ever had, this sign of a ruptured aneurysm may also be accompanied by other symptoms, such as: 

• Blurred vision
• Confusion
• Double vision
• A drooping eyelid on one side
• Light sensitivity
• Loss of consciousness
• Nausea or vomiting
• Seizures

Unruptured or leaking aneurysms can cause similar symptoms, although usually less intense. Pressure from an unruptured aneurysm can also produce symptoms like numbness or tingling on your face or scalp, an enlarged pupil, and headaches with pain localized above and behind an eye. 

When to seek medical attention

A sudden, extremely severe headache is a sign of a medical emergency requiring immediate attention, particularly when accompanied by one or more of the other symptoms listed above. 

Milder symptoms from a potentially leaking or unruptured aneurysm still require urgent care. Small aneurysm leaks are sometimes called sentinel bleeds because they provide warning signs in the days or weeks prior to a major rupture. 

The pain and neurological effects of a brain aneurysm should not be ignored. Contact Coast Neurosurgical Associates as soon as possible if you or someone close to you experiences these signs. 

You can make an appointment using our online booking tool, but we recommend calling our office at 562-418-6639 during office hours for prompt attention.