Aneurysm vs. Stroke: What’s the Difference

Key Takeaways

A stroke occurs as a result of the rupture of an artery supplying blood to a part of the brain or when the blood supply to the brain is blocked.
There are two main forms of stroke: hemorrhagic stroke and ischemic stroke.
An ischemic stroke develops when an artery carrying blood to the brain is blocked due to a blood clot or the narrowing of the artery as a result of the buildup of plaques. A hemorrhagic stroke is a bleeding event that happens when an artery ruptures.
An aneurysm develops as a result of the weakness in the walls of an artery, causing it to bulge and be prone to rupture. An aneurysm may occur in the brain, heart, abdomen, or other parts of the body.
The best way to avoid a stroke or aneurysm is to live a healthy lifestyle.
Aneurysm and stroke are treated with a combination of medications and surgical procedures when necessary.

Aneurysm and stroke are serious life-threatening conditions that occur suddenly without any warning. The terms “stroke” and “aneurysm” are often used interchangeably. However, these two conditions have important differences.

This article discusses the differences between a stroke and an aneurysm based on how they develop, why they occur, and their symptoms.

What is a stroke?

A stroke occurs as a result of the rupture of an artery supplying blood to a part of the brain or when the blood supply to the brain is blocked.

What is an aneurysm?

An aneurysm develops as a result of the weakness in the walls of an artery, causing it to bulge and be prone to rupture.

An aneurysm may occur in the brain, heart, abdomen, or other parts of the body. The aneurysm in the vessel of the brain is called a cerebral aneurysm. A cerebral aneurysm can increase the risk of a hemorrhagic stroke.

What are the symptoms of a stroke?

The symptoms of stroke include:

Numbness or paralysis on one side of the body
Sudden and severe headache
Weakness in the arms and legs
Difficulty in maintaining balance
Confusion
Vision problems
Difficulty with speech
Dizziness
Loss of consciousness

What are the symptoms of an aneurysm?

Aneurysms occur due to the weakening of the walls of the arteries. This condition progresses gradually over a period of time until the weakening of the artery's wall results in bulging followed by a rupture.

Hence, most patients with an aneurysm do not notice any symptoms until the artery bursts. The rupture of the blood vessel results in the loss of blood supply to a part of the brain. As a result, the patient develops the symptoms of a stroke.

Some common symptoms of an aneurysm include:

Blurred or double vision
Stiffness in the neck
A drooping eyelid
Memory issues
Sudden, incapacitating headache
Numbness or weakness in one or both limbs
Seizure
Nausea
Vomiting

What causes a stroke and aneurysm?

There are two main forms of stroke: hemorrhagic stroke and ischemic stroke, each having a distinct cause.

Ischemic stroke

This is the most common form of stroke, accounting for nearly 87% of all cases. An ischemic stroke develops when an artery carrying blood to the brain is blocked due to a blood clot or the narrowing of the artery as a result of the buildup of plaques.

Plaque is made up of low-density lipoprotein (LDL), fats, and cells. The deposition of plaques along the inner walls of the arteries causes the narrowing of the lumen of the vessels, due to which the blood flow through them is affected. This condition is called atherosclerosis.

Hemorrhagic stroke

A hemorrhagic stroke is a bleeding event that happens when an artery ruptures. As a result, blood completely stops flowing through that artery. In some cases, the blood flow is reduced due to the leakage of the blood through the new openings in the arterial wall.

A hemorrhagic stroke typically occurs due to an irregular development of blood vessels. This is called arteriovenous malformations (AVM). These irregular blood vessels are weak and tend to rupture easily, causing the spilling of blood into the tissues of the brain.

The bursting of a small vessel due to high blood pressure is another common cause of a hemorrhagic stroke. It may also occur due to a brain aneurysm when the wall of the vessel becomes weak, causing it to bulge outward. Eventually, the artery bursts, causing interruptions in the flow of blood to a part of the brain.

Cerebral aneurysm

An aneurysm affecting the arteries in the brain is called a cerebral aneurysm. It usually occurs due to damage to the artery as a result of trauma, a pre-existing medical condition such as hypertension or drug abuse, or a congenital vascular problem.

AVM is one of the most common causes of a brain aneurysm. AVM can be congenital, which means the person is born with an abnormality that results in the irregular formation of the blood vessels.

However, in some cases, AVM may appear within a few weeks of birth or later in life. In some patients, AVM may be inherited.

Some other genetic health conditions that can increase the risk of cerebral aneurysm include connective tissue disorders, which cause weakness of the walls of the vessels.

Smoking and high blood pressure exert more strain on the blood vessels. Infections, atherosclerosis, and traumatic injury to the head, such as concussion, are some causes that can damage the arterial walls, leading to an aneurysm.

What are the risk factors for strokes and aneurysms?

Strokes and aneurysms have the same risk factors as both these conditions affect the blood vessels. Here are some factors that can increase the risk of a stroke and aneurysms:

Gender: The risk of developing a cerebral aneurysm and a stroke is slightly higher in women than men.

Advancing age: The risk of a stroke or aneurysm increases with age, possibly due to the higher chances of developing associated conditions such as uncontrolled blood pressure, a heart attack, or high cholesterol.

Family history: People who have a family history of aneurysms and strokes are at higher risk for these conditions.

Uncontrolled hypertension or blood vessel diseases: When high blood pressure is not well controlled, the pressure exerted on the walls of the blood vessels increases, causing them to bulge and rupture.

Smoking: Smoking is a major risk factor for strokes and aneurysms, as it can cause damage to the blood vessels.

Pre-existing medical conditions: A pre-existing medical condition affecting the heart or arteries can increase the chances of developing a stroke or aneurysm. Patients with a history of hypertension, heart attack, and atherosclerosis are more vulnerable to developing these conditions.

Diagnosis of strokes and aneurysms

The diagnosis of a stroke and aneurysm is usually made based on typical symptoms, especially the sudden development of weakness and paralysis in the arms and legs of one side of the body and the presence of risk factors.

Imaging tools such as CT scans and MRIs are often advised to confirm the diagnosis.

A CT scan can show the exact location of the bleeding or hemorrhage in the brain and detect the areas affected by the loss of blood flow. Other imaging tools such as an MRI can be used to get images of the brain in order to identify the affected parts of the brain and assess the extent of damage.

Treatment of strokes and aneurysms

Your healthcare provider will determine the best treatment for you based on your medical history, possible underlying cause, the findings of imaging studies, and the severity of symptoms.

Ischemic strokes: When a patient has had an ischemic stroke and makes it to the hospital within one or two hours of the initiation of the symptoms, they are treated with medications called tissue plasminogen activators (TPA).

These drugs can help to break up a blood clot and restore the blood supply to the affected area of the brain. Your doctor may also remove the clot from the artery.

Hemorrhagic stroke: A hemorrhagic stroke usually needs a minimally invasive procedure to repair the damaged vessel. Your surgeon might use a special clip to secure the affected part of the ruptured blood vessel. This can be done during open surgery, in which an incision is made into the skull to allow the surgeon to work on the artery directly.

Cerebral aneurysm: An aneurysm that has not ruptured can be treated with medications. A watch-and-wait approach is usually recommended to monitor the progress of the aneurysm. This involves taking images of the aneurysm periodically to check that the bugle has not grown further.

If the test reveals that the aneurysm is progressing, the patient might need a procedure to correct the abnormality.

What is the prognosis of strokes and ruptured aneurysm?

The rupture of an aneurysm can result in life-threatening consequences. This condition has a high mortality rate, particularly in the initial few days of the event. Most patients who survive a ruptured aneurysm continue to have persistent symptoms for the rest of their lives as the brain damage caused by bleeding is irreversible.

Aneurysm that has not ruptured still needs treatment based on its size, shape, and location, as these factors play a role in determining the chances of rupture in the future.

The prognosis of patients who have a stroke varies significantly. An ischemic stroke could be mild or severe. Some survivors of ischemic strokes continue to experience a few long-lasting symptoms.

A hemorrhagic stroke is more likely to cause life-threatening consequences. It might also leave the patient with physical or cognitive disabilities.

The location of the stroke, the part of the brain affected, and the time taken to restore the blood flow are some critical factors that can determine the chances of recovery of the patient. Rapid treatment can make a significant difference between being able to talk and walk normally or requiring long-term speech therapy or a walker.

Difference Between a Stroke and an Aneurysm: Frequently Asked Questions

Is a ruptured aneurysm the same as a stroke?

The terms “stroke” and “aneurysm” are often used interchangeably. Although both these conditions involve the circulatory system and blood vessels, there are key differences related to how they develop and their outcomes.

How is blood flow affected in a stroke?

A stroke occurs due to the loss of or reduced blood supply to a part of the brain.

How to avoid the risk factors of strokes and aneurysms?

Lose excess weight.
Maintain a healthy weight.
Exercise regularly.
Follow a healthy and balanced diet.
Take medications for hypertension and other conditions as prescribed by your physician.
Quit smoking.
Limit alcohol intake.

Does an aneurysm cause a stroke?

Yes, an aneurysm can progress and result in the rupture of the blood vessel, due to which a person may develop a stroke.

Is a mini-stroke an aneurysm?

A mini-stroke is different from an aneurysm. It is also called transient ischemic attack (TIA). A mini-stroke is marked by temporary symptoms similar to those of a stroke.

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