The word "aneurysm" is used to describe a section of blood vessels that has been thinned down and is susceptible to rupture. Often, smaller aneurysms in the brain don't cause any symptoms, but when an aneurysm gets bigger, it can cause an individual's pupils to dilate (mydriasis); can blur vision; or cause the eyelids to be droopy (ptosis). It can also cause pain inside the eye or paralyze the face muscles, states MayoClinic.com. In the heart, aneurysms often occur within the aorta. The aorta runs from the left ventricle to the top of the abdomen, and is an important part of the heart. In most cases, aneurysms within the aorta might not show any symptoms and are discovered during routine testing. In either case, brain and heart aneurysms will have different effects.
Aortic Dissection
Within the aorta, an aneurysm can rupture at any moment. This rupture is known to doctors as an aortic dissection. A patient who has just experienced an aortic dissection will feel intense pain that moves from the center of the chest to the back, says the Society of Thoracic Surgeons. The patient may hear a loud pop or tear, which is the sound of the aneurysm rupturing, and he may experience some abdominal pain or nausea. A victim of an aortic dissection may also feel his body get cold or he may lose feeling, which, if the aneurysm is bad enough to cause this, will require immediate medical attention to save his life.
Rupture, Bleeding and Vasospasm
When an aneurysm ruptures in the brain, blood leaks into the cranial cavity and can cause a number of side effects; the Mayo Clinic says that among these are intense headaches, abdominal pain and nausea, sensitivity to light and blurred vision. The patient may also have seizures, lose consciousness or be confused about her surroundings. Like the aortic dissection, when an aneurysm bursts in the brain, it requires immediate surgery.
According to the Mayo Clinic, brain aneurysms also have a chance to continue bleeding after surgery. Brain damage is one of the possibilities when blood continues to flow into the cranial cavity. This additional flow can cause a vasospasm, which is when the affected vessels experience a spasm, much like an athlete's muscles. This reduces the amount of blood that reaches the brain and can cause a stroke.
Blood Clots
According to the Mayo Clinic, the formation of blood clots is more likely to happen if an individual suffers from an aortic aneurysm. Clots build up in the general proximity of the aneurysm, break up and flow down the bloodstream to the body's organs. This can reduce blood flow to the extremities, which is known as peripheral ischemia, or cause organ damage, depending on where the clot ends up.
Hyponatremia
Low sodium levels in the blood, known medically as hyponatremia, are another side effect of a brain aneurysm. The Mayo Clinic says that hyponatremia leads to swelling in the brain and will also cause brain damage. According to Medline Plus, headaches, seizures, loss of appetite and unconsciousness are all side effects of hyponatremia. Although it is a serious condition, it can be remedied with an intravenous saline solution.
Hydrocephalus
When an aneurysm ruptures in a blood vessel, it can also restrict the availability of other cerebrospinal fluids to the brain, states MayoClinic.com. As this condition worsens and begins to fill the cranial cavity, it will put pressure on the brain, causing further brain damage. Usually this will be accompanied by a headache and vomiting, but can be corrected through surgery.
