Find Emergency Care for Brain Aneurysm in Northern California

A brain aneurysm, or cerebral aneurysm, is a bulging, weak part of a blood vessel in the brain. A brain aneurysm can burst and bleed into the brain if left untreated. A brain aneurysm rupture is a medical emergency because the death rate is high. Almost half of people who experience a brain aneurysm rupture do not survive it. About 20 to 35 percent of people have moderate to severe brain damage after a rupture.

If you suspect a ruptured brain aneurysm in Sacramento, CA or a surrounding area, seek emergency medical care by calling 911. The experienced team at Dignity Health, including specialists and neurologists, can provide you the fast, personalized treatment that you need — find your nearest Dignity Health location today.

Our emergency services partner with Dignity Health Neurological Institute to deliver exceptional care for brain aneurysm, including through our Comprehensive Stroke Center, neurointerventional radiologists, and clinical trials.

What Causes Brain Aneurysm?

Some people have a higher risk of brain aneurysms than others. Being female and growing older increases your risk. Your risk is also higher if someone in your family had a brain aneurysm. Certain diseases also make you more likely to develop a brain aneurysm, including high blood pressure, diabetes, atherosclerosis, and polycystic kidney disease. Your lifestyle can also contribute. This includes drinking alcohol in excess and using tobacco and/or illicit drugs.

Brain Aneurysm Symptoms

Most brain aneurysms don’t cause any symptoms. Your doctor may find a brain aneurysm while examining you for another medical condition. Symptoms can develop if a brain aneurysm grows large or it bursts. Signs and symptoms of a ruptured aneurysm can include:

• Severe headache
• Weakness
• Vision changes
• Nausea
• Eye pain
• Numbness
• Vomiting

Brain Aneurysm Treatment & Prevention at Dignity Health

Not all brain aneurysms require treatment. Your treatment and prevention options depend on the aneurysm’s size, type, and location. If a brain aneurysm is small and not causing problems, your doctor may recommend monitoring it for changes. In other cases, your doctor may recommend medication or surgery to prevent the aneurysm from rupturing. As each case is unique, you and your doctor at Dignity Health will discuss your personal options for treatment.

A ruptured brain aneurysm is a medical emergency and can be treated at one of our six Dignity Health emergency rooms. When an aneurysm bursts, it can bleed into the brain, causing a hemorrhagic stroke. It can also bleed into the space around the brain, causing a subarachnoid hemorrhage. Both of these are serious conditions that can lead to permanent brain or nerve damage, or even death. Brain aneurysm treatment aims to stop bleeding into the brain and prevent further brain damage. Rely on our experts to provide the right treatment through our expertise and advanced technologies.