

An aneurysm is an excessive localized enlargement of an artery caused by weakness in the arterial wall allowing it to widen abnormally or balloon out. Aneurysms may remain silent or rupture, causing serious problems and even death.
Aneurysms can occur in any blood vessel, with particularly lethal examples including aneurysms of the Circle of Willis in the brain, aortic aneurysms affecting the thoracic aorta, and abdominal aortic aneurysms. Aneurysms can arise in the heart itself following a heart attack, including both ventricular and atrial septal aneurysms.
While most aneurysms go undetected and do not lead to serious events, the statistics show that:
The causes of aneurysms are sometimes unknown.
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