An aneurysm is an abnormal bulge or ballooning in the wall of a blood vessel. An aneurysm can burst (rupture), causing internal bleeding and often leading to death. Aneurysms usually don't cause symptoms, so you might not know you have an aneurysm even if it's large.
Aneurysms can develop in several parts of your body, including:
- The aorta — the major blood vessel carrying blood from your heart to vital organs (aortic aneurysm)
- The section of aorta that passes through your abdomen (abdominal aortic aneurysm)
- The section of aorta that passes through your chest (thoracic aortic aneurysm)
- Blood vessels supplying blood to your brain (brain aneurysm)
- Blood vessels in other parts of your body, such as your legs, groin or neck (peripheral aneurysm)