Chances of Surviving a Brain Aneurysm
Learn how early diagnosis, timely treatment, and comprehensive care improve survival chances after a brain aneurysm. Discover key risk factors, warning signs, and life-saving options at our specialized brain aneurysm clinic in Singapore, the Supreme Vascular and Interventional Clinic.
Understanding Brain Aneurysm Survival Rates
Brain aneurysms are critical because of the potential for rupture. A ruptured brain aneurysm can lead to life-threatening complications, such as stroke and death.
Brain aneurysms are heavily dependent on several factors, including early diagnosis, timely treatment, and specialist care. Early diagnosis is crucial for preventing rupture while timely treatment minimizes damage and complications. Patients receiving specialist care have access to advanced diagnostic and treatment options and better outcomes.
Dr. Manish Taneja is a compassionate brain aneurysm specialist dual-trained and certified, providing patients with brain aneurysms advanced and personalized care and improved quality of life. For a complete overview of recovery stages, visit: Recovery After a Brain Aneurysm: What to Expect.
What is a Brain Aneurysm?
A brain aneurysm is a bulge in the wall of the blood vessel in the brain. These bulges are generally caused by a weakened area in the vessel wall that grows over time. If an aneurysm ruptures, it can cause bleeding in the brain, leading to life-threatening complications.
Brain aneurysms are classified into several types: saccular, fusiform, ruptured, and unruptured.
- Saccular: The most common type of brain aneurysm, accounting for about 90% of all intracranial aneurysms. Saccular brain aneurysms resemble a berry hanging from a vine and are usually found in the arteries at the base of the brain.
- Fusiform: These aneurysms bulge out on all sides of the artery, causing a widening or ballooning of the entire vessel.
- Ruptured vs unruptured: A ruptured aneurysm is a bulging artery that bursts, leaking blood into the surrounding tissue. An unruptured aneurysm is a bulging artery that has not burst.
How and Why Brain Aneurysms Form
Brain aneurysms form due to weaknesses or bulges in the wall of a blood vessel in the brain. This weakness may be present at birth or develop over time due to other factors, such as high blood pressure, smoking, or other diseases.
Common Warning Signs or Symptoms
Brain aneurysms have several warning signs or symptoms that individuals should pay attention to, including:
Unruptured Brain Aneurysm
- Numbness or weakness on one side of the face
- A drooping eyelid
- Headache
- Blurred or double vision
- Dilated pupil of one eye
- Pain behind and above one eye
Ruptured Brain Aneurysm
- A severe, sudden headache
- Nausea and/or vomiting
- Seizures
- Stiffness in the neck
- Weakness or numbness
- Extreme sensitivity to light
Survival After a Brain Aneurysm Rupture
The survival rate for individuals with brain aneurysm rupture is about 60-70% survival rate, an improvement from 50 percent thanks to neurocritical care over the last 20 years. However, roughly 25% of people who survive a ruptured brain aneurysm have cognitive deficits or discrete neurological deficits.
Factors that Affect Survival:
- Size and location of aneurysm
- How quickly treatment is received
- General health and age of the patient
Importance of Emergency Response and Hospitalization
A ruptured brain aneurysm is a medical emergency and timely emergency response and hospitalization are critical for survival and minimizing long-term complications.
The initial hours after rupture are essential for minimizing brain damage and preventing complications. Seeking medical attention immediately also increases overall survival.
Diagnosing and Managing Brain Aneurysms
Healthcare providers use several tools to diagnose and manage brain aneurysms, including:
- CT scan: Quickly detects the presence of blood or bleeding in the brain. CT scans provide detailed images of the brain's blood vessels, allowing aneurysms to be identified, as well as their size and location.
- MRI: An MRI diagnoses and evaluates brain aneurysm. It can help identify the presence, size, shape, and location of aneurysms and the likelihood of rupture.
- Angiography: Visualizes the blood vessels in the brain and identifies the presence, size, and location of aneurysm. Angiography also helps determine the best course of treatment.
Brain Aneurysm Treatment Options:
- Endovascular coiling: A minimally invasive surgical procedure used to treat brain aneurysms by placing soft, pliable coils into the aneurysm sac through a catheter inserted into a blood vessel.
- Surgical clipping: A procedure to treat brain aneurysm using a small metal clip placed on the neck of the aneurysm to prevent blood flow and reduce the risk of rupture.
- Flow diverters: A technique where the surgeon uses a catheter to place a stent into the blood vessel where an aneurysm has formed. This process diverts the flow of blood away from the aneurysm.
Importance of Choosing a Highly Experienced Neurointervention and Brain Aneurys Specialist
Choosing a neurointervention specialist that provides the full spectrum of brain aneurys care and treatment is essential because it leads to accurate diagnosis and treatment planning. A specialist is better equipped to diagnose complex neurological conditions and develop a plan. Additionally, choosing a specialist with over 30 years of experience instills confidence in individuals dealing with a brain aneurysm and promotes positive treatment outcomes.
Chances of Survial with Early Detection
Unruptured aneurysms found in routine scans may never rupture. Studies suggest that 50-80% of unruptured intracranial aneurysms do not rupture in a person's lifetime. There are also several preventive treatment options, such as quitting smoking, managing blood pressure, and adopting a healthy lifestyle that includes a good diet and exercise.
Early diagnosis is also critical for increased survival. Diagnosing a brain aneurysm, especially when it is unruptured can significantly improve outcomes and potentially prevent life-threatening complications.
Recovery and Qaulity of Life After Treatment
Patients who receive treatment after a brain aneurysm will experience a period of healing and potential rehabilitation. Many patients feel fatigue, headaches, and discomfort at the incision site. Routine follow-up care and imaging are vital for the patient's health. Follow-up care and imaging effectively detect recurrence or regrowth. It also provides early detection of new aneurysms. Additionally, it's beneficial in assessing treatment success and durability.
For patients with a brain aneurysm, long-term lifestyle recommendations are to focus on blood vessel health to prevent rupture or further complications. This includes adopting a heart-healthy diet, avoiding excessive alcohol, and exercising regularly.
Why Choose Supreme Vascular and Interventional Clinic?
At the Supreme Vascular and Interventional Clinic, we offer specialized care with the latest cutting-edge treatments for various vascular and nonvascular disorders. We also offer advanced imaging for patients with brain aneurysms and minimally invasive treatment options.
If you're having symptoms of a brain aneurysm or you have a family history of aneurysm, it's essential to visit a healthcare provider to get checked out. Early detection and tailored treatment can save lives and help individuals living with brain aneurysms or at risk for a brain aneurysm live a full and healthy life. Dr. Manish Taneja offers comprehensive care in managing complex brain aneurysms. He is one of the few doctors who are dual-trained and certified neuro-interventional and peripheral vascular interventionists in practice in Singapore.
Worried about your symptoms or want to understand your risks? Contact Dr. Manish Taneja at Supreme Vascular and Interventional Clinic today to book a consultation and get the specialist care you need.
Consult a Seasoned Brain Aneurysm Specialist
A consultation at our brain aneurysm clinic in Singapore allows for timely intervention and improved outcomes. It's important to receive professional treatment and care in the hands of the right doctor for you or your loved one.
The Supreme Vascular and Interventional Clinic offers state-of-the-art care and latest treatment options with brain aneurysm specialist, Dr. Manish Taneja. The newer technologies available for treating brain aneurysms enables him to treat almost all types of brain aneurysms using interventional techniques without open surgery. Arrange your appointment today.
Brain Aneurysm Resources
Explore our brain aneurysm resources. Understanding a brain aneurysm often involves learning across several areas.
Put Brain Aneurysm on Your Health Radar
Did you experience the worst headache of your life? Thoughts could be racing through your mind. A brain aneurysm is a weak spot in a blood vessel in the brain that can change over time. The key concern is when an aneurysm ruptures, which can disrupt blood flow, affect brain tissue, and lead to serious brain damage. Controllable conditions like high blood pressure can increase this risk and treatment options can depend on the condition. Surgical clipping is one option that prevents blood from entering the weakened area. In many cases, minimally invasive treatments can also be used to restore normal blood flow and reduce risk. We have created structured guides to help you explore each stage in more detail:
A simple (computed tomography) CT scan could be just what the doctor ordered and the first step in early detection and prevention of a brain aneurysm. Come in for an easy consultation with our brain aneurysm specialist in Singapore to be on your health radar.
Other Health Conditions
The Supreme Vascular and Interventional Clinic is your “go-to” facility for various conditions and treatments. To arrange an appointment with Dr. Manish Taneja, our brain aneurysm specialist, contact us. You can also call us at (+65) 6904 8084 for a consultation.