Aneurysm Care in Grand Rapids, Michigan

An aneurysm is an abnormal swelling or bulge in the wall of a blood vessel, usually an artery. It starts as a weak spot in the vessel wall that slowly balloons outward under the pressure of blood flow. Aneurysms often form where a blood vessel branches, because these “forks” are structurally more vulnerable.

Aneurysms can occur anywhere in the circulatory system, but they most commonly affect:

  • The aorta – the body’s main artery running from the heart through the chest and abdomen
  • The blood vessels in the brain (cerebral arteries)

Residents of Grand Rapids and West Michigan can access advanced aneurysm diagnosis and treatment through major health systems such as Corewell Health (formerly Spectrum Health), Trinity Health Grand Rapids, Metro Health – University of Michigan Health, and Mercy Health.

Why Aneurysms Are Serious

Aneurysms Are Potentially Fatal if They Rupture

An aneurysm may cause no symptoms at all (asymptomatic) until:

  • It becomes very large, or
  • It ruptures (bursts)

A ruptured aneurysm is a medical emergency. Massive internal bleeding can occur, and death can happen within minutes without rapid treatment. In Grand Rapids, call 911 immediately if you suspect an aneurysm rupture so EMS can take you to the nearest emergency department (such as Butterworth Hospital, Trinity Health Grand Rapids, or Metro Health).

Types of Aneurysms

The main types of aneurysms include:

  • Cerebral aneurysm – in a blood vessel in the brain
  • Thoracic aortic aneurysm – in the aorta within the chest
  • Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) – in the aorta within the abdomen

Each type has different symptoms and risks.

Cerebral Aneurysm (Brain Aneurysm)

A cerebral aneurysm is a bulge in a blood vessel in the brain. In many people, it has no relationship to aneurysms in other parts of the body, but a small number of people do have a family history of brain aneurysms.

Cerebral aneurysms:

  • Are more common after age 60
  • Often look like a tiny, blood-filled grape on a stalk
  • Are sometimes called saccular or berry aneurysms
  • Can occasionally form in clusters on the same vessel

Symptoms of a Ruptured Cerebral Aneurysm

A ruptured cerebral aneurysm causes bleeding around the brain, called a subarachnoid hemorrhage. Symptoms can include:

  • Sudden, severe headache (“worst headache of my life”)
  • Neck pain and stiffness
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Increasing drowsiness or loss of consciousness
  • Weakness or paralysis on one side of the body
  • Seizures
  • Slurred or impaired speech
  • Vision problems (double vision, loss of vision)

A ruptured brain aneurysm is an emergency. In the Grand Rapids area, call 911 right away—do not drive yourself.

Unruptured Cerebral Aneurysm

An unruptured aneurysm in the brain may:

  • Cause no symptoms at all
  • Be found incidentally during imaging for another reason (for example, a CT or MRI for headaches or after an injury)

When symptoms do occur, they may include:

  • Localized headache
  • Eye pain or visual changes
  • Drooping eyelid
  • Problems with balance or speech

Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm (Chest)

A thoracic aortic aneurysm affects the part of the aorta that runs through the chest.

Symptoms of a Ruptured Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm

Many thoracic aortic aneurysms cause no symptoms until they rupture. When rupture or dissection (a tear in the wall) occurs, symptoms may include:

  • Sudden, severe chest, back, or neck pain
  • Coughing or coughing up blood
  • Shortness of breath (breathlessness)
  • Difficulty swallowing
  • Hoarseness of the voice
  • Swelling of the arms
  • A constricted pupil and drooping eyelid affecting one eye

Most people with a ruptured thoracic aortic aneurysm die within minutes without emergency treatment. Advanced cardiac and vascular surgery services are available in Grand Rapids at hospitals such as Corewell Health Butterworth Hospital and Trinity Health Grand Rapids.

Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA)

An abdominal aortic aneurysm affects the part of the aorta that runs through the abdomen. This is a common type of aneurysm in older adults, especially men and people with a history of smoking—both important considerations in Michigan’s aging population.

Symptoms of an Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm

An AAA may cause:

  • Pain in the lower back, abdomen, or side
  • A pulsating feeling in the abdomen (a “heartbeat” in your belly)
  • Abdominal swelling
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Rapid heart rate (tachycardia)
  • Sweating or feeling faint

A sudden onset of severe abdominal or back pain with a pulsating mass can signal a ruptured AAA, which is life-threatening and requires immediate emergency care.

Causes and Risk Factors for Aneurysms

An aneurysm usually develops because the blood vessel wall becomes weak. Causes and risk factors include:

  • High blood pressure (hypertension) over many years
  • Atherosclerosis (fatty plaques) that weaken the vessel wall
  • A weakness present from birth (congenital aneurysm)
  • Inherited conditions that affect connective tissue and blood vessel strength
  • Trauma, such as a serious chest injury
  • Polycystic kidney disease (increases the risk of cerebral aneurysms)
  • Certain infections, including untreated syphilis, that can damage blood vessel walls
  • Smoking – a major risk factor, particularly for abdominal aortic aneurysm
  • Age (risk increases after age 60)
  • Family history of aneurysm

In some people, the cause remains unknown, even after testing.

Michigan- and Grand Rapids–Specific Considerations

In West Michigan, several factors can influence aneurysm risk and detection:

  • Cold winters can lead to higher blood pressure due to blood vessel constriction in low temperatures. Poorly controlled blood pressure increases aneurysm risk.
  • Sedentary lifestyle during long winter months can worsen cholesterol, weight, and blood pressure.
  • Smoking rates in some Michigan communities remain high, contributing to AAA risk.

Working with a primary care provider in Grand Rapids to manage blood pressure, cholesterol, and smoking cessation is critical for aneurysm prevention.

Possible Complications of Aneurysms

If left untreated, aneurysms can lead to serious complications, including:

  • Sudden death from rupture
  • Blood clots forming inside the aneurysm
  • Compression of nearby nerves if the aneurysm is large
  • Dissecting aneurysm – blood leaks into the layers of the artery wall
  • Reduced blood flow to tissues beyond the aneurysm
  • Subarachnoid hemorrhage (bleeding around the brain)
  • Hydrocephalus (“water on the brain”)
  • Stroke
  • Epilepsy or recurrent seizures
  • Paralysis or other long-term neurologic disability
  • Congestive heart failure
  • Heart attack
  • Kidney failure

For cerebral aneurysm rupture, patients often require up to 21 days in the hospital to monitor and treat complications such as vasospasm (narrowing of blood vessels in the brain) and hydrocephalus.

How Aneurysms Are Diagnosed in Grand Rapids

If your doctor in Grand Rapids suspects an aneurysm, you may be referred to a vascular surgeon, cardiologist, or neurologist/neurosurgeon at a local hospital. Common tests include:

  • Physical examination
  • X-rays
  • Ultrasound scans – especially for abdominal aortic aneurysm screening
  • Computed tomography (CT) scan or CT angiogram (CTA)
  • Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or MR angiogram (MRA)
  • Digital subtraction angiogram (DSA) – a specialized imaging test using contrast dye
  • Examination of cerebrospinal fluid (via lumbar puncture) if a subarachnoid hemorrhage is suspected

These imaging services are widely available at major hospitals and imaging centers throughout the Grand Rapids area.

Treatment Options for Aneurysms

Treatment depends on:

  • Type of aneurysm (cerebral, thoracic, abdominal)
  • Size and growth rate
  • Location
  • Whether it has ruptured
  • Your overall health and other medical conditions

In all cases, controlling high blood pressure, quitting smoking, and managing cholesterol are essential parts of treatment.

Treatment of Cerebral Aneurysms

For ruptured cerebral aneurysms, treatment is urgent and usually performed at specialized centers with neurosurgical and neurointerventional expertise (available in Grand Rapids through major health systems).

Common treatments include:

  • Surgical clipping

    • The skull is opened (craniotomy).
    • A small metal clip is placed at the base of the aneurysm to stop blood flow into it.

  • Endovascular coiling

    • A catheter is threaded through an artery (often from the groin or wrist) to the aneurysm.
    • Fine platinum coils are placed inside the aneurysm to promote clotting and seal it off while preserving normal blood flow in the brain.

For unruptured cerebral aneurysms, treatment can often be semi-elective, allowing time to weigh the risks and benefits of surgery versus careful monitoring.

Treatment of Thoracic Aortic Aneurysms

For thoracic aortic aneurysms, treatment may include:

  • Medications to control blood pressure and reduce stress on the aorta
  • Surgical repair if the aneurysm is large, growing, or at high risk of rupture

Surgical options include:

  • Open surgery

    • The aneurysm is removed or reinforced.
    • The weakened section of the aorta is replaced with an artificial graft.
    • Sometimes the nearby heart valve must also be repaired or replaced.

  • Endovascular stent graft

    • A stent graft is delivered through a catheter and placed inside the aneurysm to reinforce the vessel wall from within.

Mortality from a ruptured thoracic aortic aneurysm is very high—over 50%—underscoring the importance of early detection and timely surgery.

Treatment of Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms (AAA)

For abdominal aortic aneurysms:

  • If the aneurysm is less than 5 cm wide:

    • It is often left untreated but closely monitored with regular imaging to track its size.

  • If the aneurysm is 5 cm or larger, or growing quickly:

    • Surgical repair is usually recommended.

Surgical options include:

  • Open AAA repair

    • The aneurysm is cut out.
    • The aorta is reconstructed with an artificial graft.

  • Endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR)

    • A stent graft is placed inside the aneurysm through catheters inserted in the groin arteries.
    • This is less invasive and may be an option for some patients, depending on aneurysm shape and location.

These procedures are performed at major vascular surgery centers in Grand Rapids.

Aneurysm Care and Local Resources in Grand Rapids

If you live in Grand Rapids or the surrounding West Michigan area and are concerned about aneurysms, you can:

  • Schedule an appointment with your primary care provider for blood pressure and cardiovascular risk assessment.
  • Ask about aneurysm screening, especially if you are:
    • Over age 65
    • A current or former smoker
    • Have a family history of aneurysm

Local resources include:

  • Corewell Health (Spectrum Health) – Grand Rapids: Advanced vascular, cardiac, and neurosurgical services
  • Trinity Health Grand Rapids: Comprehensive heart and vascular care
  • Metro Health – University of Michigan Health: Vascular surgery and imaging
  • Mercy Health locations in the region: Cardiovascular and imaging services
  • Kent County Health Department and Grand Rapids Public Health: Support for blood pressure checks, smoking cessation programs, and general preventive care

When to Call 911

Call 911 immediately if you or someone near you has:

  • Sudden, severe headache unlike any before
  • Sudden severe chest, back, or abdominal pain
  • Loss of consciousness, confusion, or seizure
  • Sudden weakness, paralysis, or trouble speaking
  • A pulsating mass in the abdomen with severe pain

Ask to be taken to the nearest emergency department in the Grand Rapids area. Early treatment can save your life.

Key Points to Remember

  • An aneurysm may have no symptoms until it is very large or ruptures.
  • Symptoms depend on which blood vessel is affected (brain, chest, or abdomen).
  • Cerebral aneurysms are more common over age 60 and may be linked to family history or certain conditions.
  • An unruptured cerebral aneurysm may have no symptoms and is often found incidentally on imaging.
  • The cause of an aneurysm is sometimes unknown, but high blood pressure, smoking, and atherosclerosis are major risk factors.
  • In Grand Rapids, advanced aneurysm care is available through multiple hospital systems; early detection and management are critical to reducing the risk of rupture and serious complications.