Symptoms
older than 60, have high blood pressure,
high cholesterol or have diabetes, you are
considered at “high risk” and more likely to
have a reoccurrence of serious symptoms. If
you notice any of the symptoms, don’t wait.
Call 911 or emergency services right away.
In most cases, a brain aneurysm has no
symptoms until it bleeds or tears. Symptoms
of bleeding or tearing include:
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Severe headache, nausea, and vomiting
Neck stiffness
Brief blackout
Confusion or sluggishness
Vision or speech problems
Paralysis or weakness on one side of the
body
• Clumsiness
• Jerking movements
What is Hemorrhagic
Stroke?
The brain needs a constant supply of blood
to work. During a stroke, blood stops
flowing to part of the brain. The affected
area is damaged. Its functions are harmed
or even lost. Most strokes are caused by a
blockage in a blood vessel that supplies the
brain. They can also occur if a blood vessel
in the brain ruptures (breaks open).
Resources
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American Stroke Association: A Division of the American Heart Association.
1-888-4STROKE http://www.strokeassociation.org
National Stroke Association 1-800-STROKES http://www.stroke.org
Stroke Clubs International 409-762-1022 [email protected]
Easter Seals 1-800-221-6827 http://www.easterseals.com
National Aphasia Association 1-800-922-4NAA http://www.aphasia.org
American Speech-Language-Hearing Association 1-800638-8255 htpp://asha.org
National Rehabilitation Information Center 1-800-346-2742 http://www.naric.com
McAlester Regional Health Center http://www.mrhcok.com
Prompt Treatment Can Save a Life
A brain aneurysm needs to be treated as
soon as possible. Doing so may save a
patient’s life. If the aneurysm has torn and
bled, treatment may not reverse the resulting
damage. Surgery may help prevent more
bleeding. Blood trapped in and around the
brain may also be removed.
From the Heart to the Brain
The heart is a pump. It sends oxygen-rich
blood to the rest of the body. Carotid
arteries carry blood from the heart to the
brain. Blood vessels in the brain carry
oxygen-rich blood to brain tissue.
Types of Brain
Aneurysms
How a Stroke Occurs
There are four main types of brain
aneurysms. Most aneurysms occur where
an artery branches, often at the base of the
brain. The treatment options vary, depending
on the type of aneurysm, its size, and its
location.
Hemorrhagic stroke occurs when a blood
vessel in the brain ruptures. This lets blood
spill into nearby brain tissue, which damages
the cells. Other brain cells die because their
normal blood supply is cut off.
What is Brain
Aneurysm?
• Saccular Aneurysm bulges from one side
of an artery.
• Giant Aneurysm can involve more than one
artery. It is over 2.5 centimeters (cm) wide.
• Fusiform Aneurysm bulges from all sides
of an artery. It rarely has a neck.
• Mycotic Aneurysm is cause by an infected
artery wall. This type of aneurysm is fairly
rare.
A brain aneurysm is a balloon-like bulge in
the wall of a brain artery. If this bulge tears
and bleeds, nearby cells may be damaged.
A brain aneurysm can occur in an artery
wall that is weak or has a defect. Aneurysm
is often associated with hardening of the
arteries. High blood pressure, heredity, or
head injuries are also risk factors.
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Symptoms of a Stroke
During a stroke, blood stops flowing to part of the brain. This can damage areas in the brain
that control the rest of the body. Get help right way if any of these symptoms come on
suddenly, even if the symptoms don’t last.
Know the Symptoms of a Stroke
• Weakness you may feel weakness, tingling, or a loss of feeling on one side of your face or
body.
• Vision Problems you may have sudden double vision or trouble seeing in one or both eyes.
• Speech Problems: You may have sudden trouble talking, slurred speech, or problems
understanding others.
• Headache: You may have a sudden, severe headache.
• Movement Problems: You may experience dizziness, a feeling of spinning, a loss of balance,
a feeling of falling, or blackouts.
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