Dr. Siegel’s Take: Aneurysms in the News
Brain aneurysms have been in the news this past week. First there was the unfortunate sudden death of Congresswoman Stephanie Tubbs Jones (D-Ohio) from a ruptured brain aneurysm at age 58. And now with the nomination for vice president of Senator Joseph Biden (D-Delaware), the public has been reminded of his fortunate survival following the surgical clipping of two brain aneurysms back in 1988.
Aneurysms in the news present an opportunity for educating the public about these scary blood vessel bulgings in the brain.
Biden reportedly had two aneurysms, one on each side of his brain, and they were discovered when he suffered pain in his neck.
A neurological work-up revealed the aneurysms, one of which had leaked slightly. The tiniest amount of blood mixing with the brain’s cerebrospinal fluid (the fluid which surrounds and cushions the brain) can be painful. Pain was an alert to Biden, and in 1988, he had the aneurysms surgically clipped before they could rupture.
Tubbs Jones wasn’t nearly as fortunate, and she was found slumped over the wheel of her car, already in a coma, and was soon dead.
Biden’s neckache was due to a “sentinel leak,” which can be compared to a slow leak of air from a tire in an area where the wall is thinning. Whereas Jones’ aneurysm reportedly burst, like a tire blowing out.
High blood pressure, smoking, and drug use, particularly cocaine can all contribute to the formation (and rupture) of aneurysms. Family history of aneurysms, congenital abnormalities in the wall of the artery, or other related medical conditions such as polycystic ovaries can all play a role in causing aneurysms.
About 6 million people in the United States have a brain aneurysm. The yearly rate of rupture is about 1 in 10,000 people. Almost half will die as a result of the rupture, and more than half who recover will have significant disability (symptoms of a stroke).
Aneurysms are most common in middle age, and women are affected more often than men. Aneurysms tend to occur at branch points of the arteries, and are much more common at the front of the brain.
Below are some frequently asked questions regarding brain aneursyms:
Q: Should I be checked for a brain aneurysm?
A: The incidence in the general population is not sufficient to recommend routine screening, but a MRI of the brain might be considered for a family history or multiple risk factors.
Q: What symptoms should I look for?
A: New onset Headache, neckache, nausea, and blurry vision can all be signs of impending bleed from an aneurysm. These symptoms are reasons to see your physician quickly.
Q: What is the treatment for a brain aneurysm?
A: Since the 1980s, many aneurysms are treated with the insertion through a micro-catheter of tiny platinum coils. These coils are useful to block the flow of blood to the aneurysm, which causes it to shrink.
Dr. Marc Siegel is an internist and associate professor of medicine at the NYU School of Medicine. He is a FOX News Medical Contributor and writes a health column for LA Times, where he examines TV and movies for medical accuracy. Dr. Siegel is the author of “False Alarm: the Truth About the Epidemic of Fear” and “Bird Flu: Everything You Need to Know About the Next Pandemic”. Read more at www.doctorsiegel.com
Tags: 1988, aneurysms, arteries, Barack Obama, Dr. Marc Siegel, genetics, high blood pressure, Senator Joe Biden, sentinel leak, Stephanie Tubbs Jones, stroke, surgery
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Hello,
I had a brain aneursym rupture in my brain on December 13th, 2007. The above article saying it was like a tire blowing out/bursting is completely accurate. I was at work at the time and it was very early. There was only one other person here and I went to this coworker and asked for help. She immediately called the paramedics and they arrived swiftly. I don’t typically get migrain headaches but I was tempted to “blow it off” as a migrain and in talking to my doctors afterwards, I’m so glad that I didn’t. They have told me that this is how many people don’t make it by not acting quickly. I am very fortunate and I thank my wonderful neurosurgeon and talented rehab therapist that helped get me back to (almost 100%) normal.
I too suffered a brain aneursym but I had no warning signs. We were at the lake and I was out getting ready to fish early one morning and thought I had stood up too fast – I got real light headed. I then passed out, hit the ground. I was only out for a few seconds but when I got up I was very off balance, breaking out in a cold sweat and nauseated. My neck hurt when I turned my head. I woke my husband up and had him call an ambulance because I thought I had had a stroke. Everything checked out so I slept for a few hours, we drove home and the next morning I finally went to the hospital to get something for my headache. I was very fortunate and God was looking out for me to still be here today! I have a little trouble with my balance but nothing that anyone else would notice.
I’d like to recommend to everyone http://www.bafound.org/ The Brain Aneurysm Foundation as a source of information about Brain Aneurysms. I too am a brain aneurysm survivor. I am one of the very lucky ones. I had my aneurysm clipped on Thanksgiving Day 2005 after it leaked the Sunday before. I was back at work with no therapy and no deficits the week before Christmas, less than 4 weeks later.
My family has a history of brain Aneurysms. My mother’s brother died of one when was only 13 and my mother had hers when she was 59. I was 49 when I had mine. Months after my surgery my family doctor showed me a scan of where my aneurysm was, next to a scan of where my mother’s aneurysm was. My aneurysm was on the exact same artery and exact same branch of 2 main arteries in the same place in the brain as my mother’s.
In retrospect for 5 years before the leak I thought my allergies had gotten worse and were causing these dull headaches. For me it happened when I went to get up after taking a little afternoon nap while watching football on the couch. Please remember that 80% of all strokes happen after a period of rest. If you get up and don’t feel well, call for help, don’t go back to sleep. I disagree with Dr. Siegel’s recommendation that you call your doctor when you think you are suffering the symptoms of a “bleed”. CALL 911 IMMEDIATELY, don’t wait. You can go from consciousness to a deep coma in seconds. A brain aneurysm “bleed”/”‘Leak”/”hemorrhage” IS A MEDICAL EMERGENCY AND SECONDS/MINUTES COUNT dearly. It is those minutes and seconds where the brain doesn’t get critical oxygen that CAUSE BRAIN DAMAGE and may leave you with life long deficit.
I’d like to recommend to everyone http://www.bafound.org/ The Brain Aneurysm Foundation as a source of information about Brain Aneurysms. I too am a brain aneurysm survivor. I am one of the very lucky ones. I had my aneurysm clipped on Thanksgiving Day 2005 after it leaked the Sunday before. I was back at work with no therapy and no deficits the week before Christmas, less than 4 weeks later.
My family has a history of brain Aneurysms. My mother’s brother died of one when was only 13 and my mother had hers when she was 59. I was 49 when I had mine. Months after my surgery my family doctor showed me a scan of where my aneurysm was next to a scan of where my mother’s aneurysm was. My aneurysm was on the exact same artery and exact branch of 2 main arteries in the same place in the brain as my mother’s.
In retrospect for 5 years before the leak I thought my allergies had gotten worse and were causing these dull headaches. For me it happened when I went to get up after taking a little afternoon nap while watching football on the couch. Please remember that 80% of all strokes happen after a period of rest. If you get up and don’t feel well, call for help, don’t go back to sleep. I disagree with Dr. Siegel’s recommendation that you call your doctor when you think you are suffering the symptoms of a “bleed”. CALL 911 IMMEDIATELY, don’t wait. You can go from consciousness to a deep coma in seconds. A brain aneurysm “bleed”/”‘Leak”/”hemorrhage” IS A MEDICAL EMERGENCY AND SECONDS/MINUTES COUNT dearly. It is those minutes and seconds where the brain doesn’t get critical oxygen that CAUSE BRAIN DAMAGE and may leave you with life long deficit.
I suffered a ruptured brain aneurysm in 2000. I had a small “leak” for four weeks but it was not caught until the day it ruptured full force. I was blessed to have all the right doctors that day, and ever since I have made it a point to convince anyone I know to get to the doc for an MRI or a CT Scan if they have a consistent neck, back, or headache, or if they have a sudden or chronic headache. Yes…slightly paranoid about it, but I would rather they have the possibility of having an aneurysm coiled instead of clipped (mine was clipped) and have the opportunity to live like I do.
if my Dad had an abdominal aortic aneurysm should my brothers and i be checked for the same? and are we prone to a different aneurysm such as a brain aneurysm?
I too had a brain aneursym in March of 05. I had no indications of anything being wrong. I felt fine and had gotten up early to do some catfishing. I had stooped down to fix my line and stood up. At first I thought I stood up too fast but realized I was going to pass out. I passed out, got up, got back into the trailer and woke my husband up telling him we needed to go home. I then decided for him to just call 911 – I thought I had had a stroke. I had a terrible headache, was throwing up and it hurt my neck to move my head. The paramedics/ambulance came and said everything seemed fine. I was mostly concerned about my neck but I was only asked if I thought I had spinal menigitis. We went home and I slept most of the day and night except for when I would get sick. The next morning I had my husband take me to the hospital so I could get a shot for the headache. Within an hour, they knew I had had an aneursym, and 3 days later did surgery. My neurosurgeon said there was a lot of blood in my spinal fluid and that was the reason for the headache and neck ache. I too am almost 100 percent. The only thing I can really tell is that my balance is not as good as it used to be. God was watching out for me! There is no other reason I should still be here and be working, etc.
to Michael son of a AAA survivor. I lost my son in 2006 due to an abdominal Aneurysm. He had complained of what he thought might be an upset stomach but passed it off until the pain became too severe for him to bear. He called 911 and died on the way to the hospital.
I’ll always believe he should have consulted a doctor when he first started having problems and might be alive today but it’s just my opinion.
Don’t take chances Michael, get a check up no matter what it costs.
Ron’s dad.
My Dad and two of his brothers had aneurysms. My Dad survived an aortic aneurysm at 73 years old, my uncle also had aortic aneurysm surgery, and another uncle had a brain aneurysm that was successfully repaired. I had a very sudden headache with nausea and terrible pains from the base of my neck into my head. This happened in Nov.of 2006. I thought I was having a stroke and called 911. I was originally misdiagnosed and sent home from the hospital after 3 days. My family doctor sent me for an mri and I went to Philadelphia to a neurologist who did an angiogram and found a small aneurysm behind my right eye. I have not had surgery, it was too risky to do from inside. So I am supposed to have an angiogram once a year to keep a check on it. I have trouble occasionally with my balance. I just have to be aware of it. Anyone who has a family history of aneurysms should definitely be checked. I am very fortunate that so far I am ok. I am now 54 years old. But I can say that if I start to get a bad headache I always wonder, is my brain acting up again?