In this podcast, we’re going to talk about aneurysms. There are typically no early aneurysm symptoms or signs, so they often occur without warning.

An aneurysm is a bulging dilation of the vascular system. There are no symptoms until it ruptures, leading to a hole in the artery. If this occurs in the brain, it’s known as a brain aneurysm, which can cause a stroke.

Aneurysms can occur in the brain (brain aneurysm, intracranial aneurysm, cerebral aneurysm), around the heart and aorta (aortic aneurysm), in the kidney, and in other areas of the body. The thumb-to-palm test can indicate if you are at a higher risk of an aneurysm.

Some common aneurysm causes include the following:

•Smoking (4x greater risk)

•Chronic alcohol use

•Diabetes

•High sugar intake

•Seed oil consumption

•Dental bacteria

Anything that causes chronic inflammation or oxidation can weaken your arterial system and contribute to an aneurysm.

Consider any related health concerns to prevent aneurysms and support blood vessel health. If you have high blood pressure, increase your potassium, magnesium, and vitamin D intake. A low-carb diet can also help lower your blood pressure.

Sometimes, a copper deficiency can cause an aneurysm. Copper is necessary to help your body build collagen.

Here are a few other ways to prevent aneurysms:

• Avoid inflammatory foods

• Consume antioxidants

• Consume foods with omega-3s

• Increase vitamin D

• Exercise regularly