Mark Swaim, MD, PhD on Risk Factors for Brain Aneurysms
Although brain aneurysms can occur spontaneously with no real cause, certain things can increase your risk, says Mark Swaim, MD, PhD. Aneurysms can develop silently with no warning. However, you should watch out for the below factors that can increase your chances of developing one.
• Smoking - Cigarettes are bad for you in many ways. Everybody knows by now that cigarettes can lead to death due to various respiratory diseases and cancers. However, what you may not know is that they can increase your risk for a brain aneurysm too. Most doctors will recommend you quit smoking if you are at risk of it.
• Hypertension - If you suffer from hypertension or high blood pressure, you are at risk of many conditions, including an aneurysm. It is best to speak to your physician and get on maintenance medications and make lifestyle changes to lower your blood pressure, says Mark Swaim, MD, PhD.
• Pre-existing Conditions - People who suffer from Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, Marfan syndrome, autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease, and even fibromuscular dysplasia all have an increased risk of a brain aneurysm. Congenital abnormalities, especially in the artery wall, can also contribute to increased risk.
• Trauma and Infection, Strong Family History - Severe head trauma and certain infections can increase a person’s risk of developing a brain aneurysm. If you suffer head trauma, see a neurologist as soon as you can.
Those who have family members who have suffered brain aneurysms in the past are also at an increased risk of developing one themselves. Brain aneurysms that occur in families are called Familial Aneurysms.
Despite the increased risk of a brain aneurysm in families, aneurysms are not often considered hereditary. Mark Swaim, MD, PhD, says that if one of your immediate family members suffers a brain aneurysm, then you must get yourself checked regularly so any brain aneurysm may be detected early.
• Smoking - Cigarettes are bad for you in many ways. Everybody knows by now that cigarettes can lead to death due to various respiratory diseases and cancers. However, what you may not know is that they can increase your risk for a brain aneurysm too. Most doctors will recommend you quit smoking if you are at risk of it.
• Hypertension - If you suffer from hypertension or high blood pressure, you are at risk of many conditions, including an aneurysm. It is best to speak to your physician and get on maintenance medications and make lifestyle changes to lower your blood pressure, says Mark Swaim, MD, PhD.
• Pre-existing Conditions - People who suffer from Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, Marfan syndrome, autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease, and even fibromuscular dysplasia all have an increased risk of a brain aneurysm. Congenital abnormalities, especially in the artery wall, can also contribute to increased risk.
• Trauma and Infection, Strong Family History - Severe head trauma and certain infections can increase a person’s risk of developing a brain aneurysm. If you suffer head trauma, see a neurologist as soon as you can.
Those who have family members who have suffered brain aneurysms in the past are also at an increased risk of developing one themselves. Brain aneurysms that occur in families are called Familial Aneurysms.
Despite the increased risk of a brain aneurysm in families, aneurysms are not often considered hereditary. Mark Swaim, MD, PhD, says that if one of your immediate family members suffers a brain aneurysm, then you must get yourself checked regularly so any brain aneurysm may be detected early.
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