Brain aneurysm no longer condition of only older adults

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At 35 years of age, Sterling was a strong, healthy woman. She was a mother of two and a long-term member of the United States Air Force. So, she was in complete shock when a diagnosis of the brain condition was delivered to her one day in the spring of 2015.

“I was extremely scared because the only thing I knew about a brain aneurysm was that they’re very serious and they can kill you,” Sterling recalls. “My husband and I were extremely upset.”

Sterling was referred to the Clinical Neuroscience Institute (CNSI) where she was evaluated by neuro-interventional specialist Bryan Ludwig, MD. Dr. Ludwig not only educated Sterling and her family on her treatment options, but also enlightened them on how common the disease can be in younger adults.

“Young adults who are told they have an aneurysm are often extremely confused because they don’t think of themselves as being in an age group where something like that can happen to them,” said Dr. Ludwig, who also acts as the chair of CNSI, a practice within Premier Health Specialists. “Yet, these are the individuals who we want to reach early in the disease process because they have the greatest and usually best outcomes if we can treat the aneurysm before it causes problems.”

A brain aneurysm is caused by a weak spot in an artery of the brain. It can be located on any of the arteries that supply blood to the brain and can expand over time and possibly rupture if not treated. Sterling was fortunate to have her aneurysm diagnosed before it bled or ruptured. Dr. Ludwig used a non-invasive, endovascular technique to treat her aneurysm by placing small ‘thread-like” platinum coils directly inside the aneurysm which “plug” the aneurysm and safely cut off any blood flow so it can no longer rupture.

Those who smoke, have high blood pressure, are an age greater than 40, or have a family history of others with the disease are at a higher risk of developing a brain aneurysm. Still, there are many — such as Sterling — who will discover they have an aneurysm, that do not have any risk factors.

“My first question was, ‘Why did I get this? How did it happen,’” Sterling said. “But there isn’t an answer to that because I didn’t have any risk factors.”

Sterling may not have the answer as to why she developed an aneurysm, but she realizes knowledge of her condition gives power to her daughter. Most people see aneurysms as an emergent diagnosis that can’t be avoided, but Dr. Ludwig said there is a lot that can be done to prevent the disease from occurring. Early testing for those who have a strong family history is one such step.

“The first thing I tell people when I am out talking to the public is that if you have a first-degree relative who has had an aneurysm, especially one that has ruptured, then you probably should be screened,” Dr. Ludwig said. “If we can catch it early and treat it electively the overall complication rate and prognosis is very, very good.”

Sterling took this advice and had her daughter undergo testing. Given her young age and good results of that first step, she may not need to be evaluated again until she is much older. For now, Sterling hopes her story will encourage other young adults to not ignore symptoms that could be a sign of something serious.

“I would say for anyone experiencing symptoms that don’t feel right to be persistent in getting a diagnosis,” she said. “I would have never thought that what I was dealing with was an aneurysm at the age of 35.”

For more information on brain aneurysms or to find a Premier Health Specialists physician near you, visit www.premierhealthspecialists.org/neuro.