Podcast: Aneurysms risks and treatment

Potentially life-threatening aneurysms are being diagnosed at younger ages.

“Initially it is small in size, and over a period of months and years, with the constant blood pressure pounding through it, it starts getting bigger, and at a certain point balloons (and) it can rupture.”

Dr. Bharath Naravetla, an interventional neurologist with McLaren Macomb, is describing an aneurysm. More specifically, he’s discussing its silent growth and increasing risk of developing into a life-threatening hemorrhage.

Aneurysms can begin and grow at any time in a person’s life, with more and more younger people experiencing symptoms.

“There are some genetic causes and then there are some non-genetic acquired causes for the aneurysms,” Dr. Naravetla said. “The most important two top causes are smoking and the hypertension. Uncontrolled blood pressure is the main reason why the aneurysms can form.”

Patients aware of their risk, noticing their symptoms, can take action.

“There are various modalities or various flow diversion devices available where you lay across the aneurysmal neck, where the blood is entering,” he said. “So, it decreases the flow of the blood into the aneurysm, then the aneurysm slowly starts shrinking and eliminate it from circulation.”

Listen to an interview with Dr. Naravetla to learn more about the causes, risk factors and treatment options for aneurysms. Talk to a primary care physician to discuss risk factors and any potential symptoms.