An aneurysm is an abnormal bulge in an artery caused by a weakening of the artery's wall. Some aneurysms are caused by atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries), the buildup of cholesterol and other fatty deposits, and high blood pressure. Other aneurysms are caused by injury, infection or an inherited blood vessel weakness. Aneurysms can occur in any blood vessel, but they occur most often in the brain and in the abdominal aorta.
An aneurysm can be life-threatening if it grows large enough to rupture. Once a cerebral aneurysm ruptures and fills the brain with blood, the effects can be devastating.
Treating an Aneurysm