A new study suggests that contrary to popular belief, the actual size of a brain aneurysm has little to do with its risk of rupturing. Instead, researchers believe that smoking is more closely linked to this risk, especially in males, the Medical Daily reported.
In a unique study, a team of researchers monitored aneurysm patients over their entire lifetime. They found that nearly one-third of all aneurysms and up to a quarter of all small aneurysms will rupture during a patient’s lifetime, according to the press release. This is more common in female smokers who have aneurysms of 7 millimeters in diameter or larger.
"This is not to say that aneurysms in non-smoking men never rupture, but that the risk is much lower than we previously thought. This means treating every unruptured aneurysm may be unnecessary if one is discovered in a non-smoking," Dr. Seppo Juvela, study researcher, explained in the press release.
A brain aneurysm is a bulge or ballooning in a blood vessel in the brain. According to the Mayo Clinic, when they leak or rupture, bleeding will occur throughout the brain. This bleeding can quickly become life-threatening and require immediate medical attention.
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