1. Minimize the Risk of Aneurysm Rupture
An aneurysm occurs when a blood vessel or artery weakens and balloons out or widens. When this occurs in the brain, doctors call it a brain aneurysm or a cerebral aneurysm. Approximately 1 in every 15 people in the United States will, at some point during their lives, have an aneurysm. We can't really prevent an aneurysm from forming. What we can do, however, is help minimize the risk of an aneurysm from rupturing. When a brain aneurysm ruptures, it causes bleeding in the brain, also known as subarachnoid hemorrhage. This can lead to brain damage, stroke or death. If someone has an aneurysm, the prevention of rupture is imperative.
2. Maintain a Healthy Lifestyle
To help avoid an aneurysm rupture, people with aneurysms should maintain a healthy lifestyle. This includes regularly exercising approximately 30 minutes every day and maintaining a healthy weight or body mass index (BMI). As part of this healthy lifestyle, people should also eat a healthy diet that contains plenty of vegetables and fruits and a limited amount of fats. Smoking, drinking alcohol and using certain drugs can weaken blood vessels, which can increase the risk of aneurysm rupture. Therefore, stopping these practices can also help reduce the risk of aneurysm rupture and hemorrhage. Finally, managing stress and anger can also help avoid aneurysm rupture.
3. Consider Using Aspirin Therapy
Some doctors recommend daily low-dose aspirin therapy for patients at risk of aneurysm rupture or other blood-vessel diseases and conditions. A low-dose of aspirin taken every day can help prevent plaque from building up in arteries or veins (known as atherosclerosis). When plaque does build up in these places, the veins and arteries weaken, which increases one's risk of aneurysm formation and rupture. If plaque doesn't build up, on the other hand, the risk of aneurysm rupture decreases. People with an interest in aspirin therapy should talk to their personal doctor to see if this therapy is right for them.
4. Monitor Cholesterol, Blood Glucose and Blood Pressure
People with an aneurysm should keep a watchful eye on their cholesterol levels, blood-glucose levels and blood pressure. High cholesterol can increase atherosclerosis, which can weaken blood vessels and arteries, putting a person at a higher risk of aneurysm rupture. High blood-sugar levels also play a part in the weakening of blood vessels. High blood pressure can also cause the weakening of blood vessels, which increases the risk of aneurysm rupture.
5. Screening With a Family History of Aneurysms
People who have a family history of aneurysms should talk to their doctor about aneurysm screening. If a person has two ruptured aneurysms in their family, doctors typically recommend screening that person every 5 years. Doctors can use either magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or a computed tomography (CT) scan to look for the formation of aneurysms. If a doctor spots any aneurysms, he will recommend a treatment plan for the patient to follow.
