Aneurysm / Rupture

Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm is asymptomatic in 75% of cases, but may present as sudden severe pain that is not relieved by position change.

Sometimes cerebral aneurysms are the cause of stroke, although most strokes are caused by clotting rather than by a rupturing aneurysm.

278 consecutive patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage were compared with 314 hospitalized control patients.  Regression analysis showed that recent alcohol intake and smoking were significant independent risk factors for hemorrhage. [Stroke 24: pp.639-46, 1993]

Studies have consistently found a 50% decrease in mortality from abdominal aortic aneurysms among former smokers compared with current smokers. [Medical Clinics of North America, March 1992;76(2): pp.333-53]

See the link between Smoke Damage and Aneurysm.

Hardening of the arteries (atherosclerosis) weakens artery walls and predisposes the damaged portion to enlargement.

Results of a small study suggest that an antibiotic may help people with abdominal aortic aneurysms.  The condition is usually treatable only with surgery.  The drug doxycycline appears to inhibit enzymes that play a role in weakening of the arterial walls.  This is a medical problem that might be influenced by an impaired immune system which allows an infection to take hold.  If doxycycline seems to help, then it is possible that either chlamydia or mycoplasma are involved. [Annual Meeting Society for Vascular Surgery meeting in Washington, DC June 1999]

Copper deficiency can contribute to some cardiovascular risks.  Aortic aneurysms may be a genetic condition related to a defect in the ability to store or absorb copper.  Copper is a cofactor for lysyl oxidase, an enzyme that is responsible for the connective tissue integrity by crosslinking elastin.  Elastin is the main material of several important organs, which include blood vessels, spinal discs, lungs and skin.  In theory if you have a family or personal history of aneurysms, consider taking 2-4mg of copper per day, especially if significant amounts of zinc have been or are being consumed.

Men are more susceptible to aneurysms than are young women, probably because estrogen increases the efficiency of copper absorption.  However, women can be affected by this problem after pregnancy, probably because women must give the liver of their unborn babies large copper stores in order for them to survive the low milk copper.

Increased potassium produces a reduction in aneurysms.  Potassium is known to be the activator for several enzyme systems.  Since only minute amounts are needed for most of them, there could never be a deficiency which would inactivate the majority of them.  However, it may be that part of the weakened connective tissue is an indirect effect of a continuing potassium deficiency on the copper metabolism, especially as it pertains to the copper catalyzed enzyme lysyl oxidase.

A low incidence of cerebrovascular disease was associated with geographical regions where fresh fruit and vegetable consumption (increased potassium) was high.  It is possible that this association may also extend to aneurysms and subarachnoid hemorrhage in addition to stroke. [Low fruits and vegetables, high-meat diet increase cerebrovascular event risk. Medical Tribune March 10, 1997:26; N Engl J Med 316( 5): pp.235-40, 1987; Lancet: pp.1191-3, 1983]

The authors of one study concluded that a high level of lipoprotein is an independent risk factor for thoracic aortic atherosclerosis and should be controlled in order to prevent aortic disease including aortic aneurysm. [American Journal of Cardiology, July 15, 1993;72: pp.227-30 ]

High levels of total cholesterol and triglycerides have also been associated with increased risk.

If copper levels are low, supplemental copper should be taken for its connective tissue strengthening effect.

In evaluating 83 patients, it was found that serum cholesterol and triglyceride levels were higher in patients with aortic occlusive and aneurysmal disease than in control organ donors.  Vitamin E concentrations were highest in peripheral occlusive diseased tissue and as much as 3 times greater than in organ donors compared to patients with aortic occlusive disease and aneurysmal disease.  Signs of lipid peroxidation were markedly elevated in all diseased arterial tissue compared to controls.  These data supply evidence of altered vitamin E metabolism and free radical processes in the tissues of patients with various manifestations of atherosclerosis. [Atherosclerosis, 1996;126: pp.289-97]