Aneurysms

An abnormal widening or ballooning of a portion of an artery due to weakness in the wall of the blood vessel. If an aneurysm grows large, it can burst and cause dangerous bleeding or death. Most aneurysms occur in the aorta, the main artery that runs from the heart through the chest and abdomen. Aneurysms also can happen in arteries in the brain, heart and other parts of the body. If an aneurysm in the brain bursts, it causes a stroke.