GITNUXREPORT 2026

Aneurysm Statistics

Aneurysms are surprisingly common but their rupture risk varies widely.

Rajesh Patel

Rajesh Patel

Team Lead & Senior Researcher with over 15 years of experience in market research and data analytics.

First published: Feb 13, 2026

Our Commitment to Accuracy

Rigorous fact-checking · Reputable sources · Regular updatesLearn more

Key Statistics

Statistic 1

About 3-5% of the U.S. population has an unruptured brain aneurysm

Statistic 2

Globally, brain aneurysms affect approximately 3.5% of the population

Statistic 3

Incidence of subarachnoid hemorrhage from aneurysm rupture is 6-10 per 100,000 person-years

Statistic 4

Aortic aneurysms account for about 1-2% of deaths in men over 65

Statistic 5

Prevalence of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) in men aged 65-74 is 5.5%

Statistic 6

Unruptured intracranial aneurysms are found in 3.6-6% of autopsies

Statistic 7

Annual rupture rate for unruptured aneurysms is 0.5-1%

Statistic 8

AAA prevalence in smokers is 4 times higher than non-smokers

Statistic 9

Brain aneurysms are more common in women (2:1 ratio)

Statistic 10

Incidence of ruptured brain aneurysms peaks between ages 40-60

Statistic 11

About 30,000 people in the U.S. suffer aneurysm ruptures annually

Statistic 12

Global incidence of aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage is 10.5 per 100,000

Statistic 13

Thoracic aortic aneurysms prevalence is 0.1% in general population

Statistic 14

Mycotic aneurysms occur in 2-4% of infective endocarditis cases

Statistic 15

Familial intracranial aneurysms in 10-20% of cases

Statistic 16

AAA screening detects aneurysms in 1.3% of screened men 65-74

Statistic 17

Unruptured aneurysm prevalence on angiography is 2-4%

Statistic 18

Rupture risk increases with aneurysm size >7mm (3-15%)

Statistic 19

Popliteal artery aneurysms in 0.1-2.8% of peripheral aneurysms

Statistic 20

Brain aneurysm rupture causes 10% of all strokes

Statistic 21

AAA rupture incidence is 5-10 per 100,000

Statistic 22

Women have higher rupture risk for same size aneurysms

Statistic 23

Prevalence of intracranial aneurysms in hypertensive patients is 6.9%

Statistic 24

Annual detection rate of unruptured aneurysms rising due to imaging

Statistic 25

Splenic artery aneurysms in 0.04-0.1% population

Statistic 26

Renal artery aneurysms prevalence 0.65%

Statistic 27

Cavernous carotid aneurysms in 2-9% of intracranial aneurysms

Statistic 28

Incidence of pediatric aneurysms is 0.5-2 per million

Statistic 29

HIV-associated aneurysms in 4.5% of cases

Statistic 30

Overall aneurysm prevalence in adults >30 is ~2%

Statistic 31

Mortality 40-50% for ruptured brain aneurysms

Statistic 32

50% of ruptured AAA patients die before hospital

Statistic 33

Good outcome (mRS 0-2) in 66% coiled vs 53% clipped (ISAT)

Statistic 34

30-day mortality post-EVAR 1.8%

Statistic 35

Case fatality for SAH 45%

Statistic 36

Rebleeding mortality 20-30% if untreated

Statistic 37

Delayed cerebral ischemia causes 25% poor outcomes

Statistic 38

5-year survival post-AAA repair 70%

Statistic 39

WFNS grade 5 has 70% mortality

Statistic 40

Unruptured aneurysm repair morbidity 10-15%

Statistic 41

Ruptured thoracic aneurysm mortality 70-90%

Statistic 42

1-year mortality post-SAH 50% in elderly

Statistic 43

Vasospasm mortality contribution 15%

Statistic 44

EVAR rupture prevention reduces mortality 50-70%

Statistic 45

Hydrocephalus increases mortality 20%

Statistic 46

Seizures worsen prognosis (OR 2.3)

Statistic 47

Fisher grade 4 SAH has 60% poor outcome

Statistic 48

Long-term cognitive impairment in 50% SAH survivors

Statistic 49

AAA >5.5cm rupture risk 10%/year

Statistic 50

Pediatric aneurysm mortality 20-40%

Statistic 51

Re-rupture after coiling 1-2%/year

Statistic 52

Smoking increases aneurysm risk by 4.3 times

Statistic 53

Hypertension is present in 60-70% of ruptured aneurysm cases

Statistic 54

Family history increases risk 4-6 fold

Statistic 55

Smoking doubles the risk of AAA development

Statistic 56

Age >55 is a major risk factor for aortic aneurysms

Statistic 57

Female sex increases rupture risk for brain aneurysms

Statistic 58

Polycystic kidney disease associated with 10-20% aneurysm prevalence

Statistic 59

Atherosclerosis contributes to 90% of AAAs

Statistic 60

Connective tissue disorders like Marfan syndrome increase risk 15-fold

Statistic 61

Hypercholesterolemia raises AAA risk by 2.5 times

Statistic 62

Alcohol consumption >2 drinks/day triples risk

Statistic 63

Cocaine use associated with 1.5-3.6% mycotic aneurysms

Statistic 64

Ehlers-Danlos syndrome type IV has 25-50% aneurysm risk

Statistic 65

Obesity increases AAA growth rate by 20%

Statistic 66

African American ethnicity higher rupture risk for same size

Statistic 67

Prior aneurysm doubles risk for new ones

Statistic 68

Diabetes may protect against AAA (OR 0.6)

Statistic 69

Loeys-Dietz syndrome has 50% aortic aneurysm risk

Statistic 70

Bicuspid aortic valve increases thoracic aneurysm risk 20-fold

Statistic 71

Estrogen deficiency post-menopause raises risk

Statistic 72

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) increases AAA risk 2.7-fold

Statistic 73

Radiation exposure elevates risk by 2-3 times

Statistic 74

Antihypertensive use reduces rupture risk by 30%

Statistic 75

Symptomatic aneurysm rupture warning headache in 40-50%

Statistic 76

Sudden severe headache ("thunderclap") in 70-80% of ruptures

Statistic 77

Nausea/vomiting occurs in 70% of subarachnoid hemorrhage cases

Statistic 78

Neck stiffness in 30-40% post-rupture

Statistic 79

Visual disturbances in 20-30% with unruptured aneurysms

Statistic 80

Cranial nerve palsies (III, IV, VI) in 15-20%

Statistic 81

Photophobia common in 25% of cases

Statistic 82

Altered consciousness in 50% at rupture

Statistic 83

Seizures in 10-25% post-rupture

Statistic 84

Back/abdominal pain in 50% of AAA ruptures

Statistic 85

Pulsatile abdominal mass in 30-50% of intact AAAs

Statistic 86

Facial pain or numbness if cavernous sinus involvement

Statistic 87

CTA detects 95% of aneurysms >3mm

Statistic 88

MRI/MRA sensitivity 85-95% for unruptured aneurysms

Statistic 89

DSA gold standard with 95-99% sensitivity

Statistic 90

Ultrasound screens AAA with 95% sensitivity >3cm

Statistic 91

WFNS grade predicts outcome; grade 1 has 93% good recovery

Statistic 92

Sentinel bleed (warning leak) in 40-50% before major rupture

Statistic 93

Hydrocephalus in 20-30% post-SAH

Statistic 94

Loss of consciousness at ictus in 45%

Statistic 95

Focal deficits like hemiparesis in 15%

Statistic 96

Fundoscopic exam shows subhyaloid hemorrhage in 20%

Statistic 97

CT shows hyperdensity in 95% within 24h of SAH

Statistic 98

Lumbar puncture xanthochromia after 12h in 100%

Statistic 99

Mass effect symptoms in giant aneurysms (>25mm) 50%

Statistic 100

Claudication or embolism in peripheral aneurysms 30%

Statistic 101

Sudden hypotension/shock in 80% AAA rupture

Statistic 102

Coiling treats 70-80% of aneurysms endovascularly

Statistic 103

Clipping success rate 90-95% for accessible aneurysms

Statistic 104

EVAR reduces perioperative mortality to 1.2% vs 4.4% open repair

Statistic 105

ISAT trial: coiling better than clipping (23% vs 30% mortality/disability)

Statistic 106

Flow diversion success 75-90% for large aneurysms

Statistic 107

Beta-blockers reduce aortic growth by 25-40%

Statistic 108

Nimodipine reduces poor outcome by 30% post-SAH

Statistic 109

Endovascular repair for thoracic aneurysms 85% success

Statistic 110

Stent-assisted coiling in 20-30% complex cases

Statistic 111

Watchful waiting for <7mm unruptured aneurysms

Statistic 112

Statins slow AAA expansion by 0.5mm/year less

Statistic 113

Decompressive craniectomy in 10-15% severe SAH

Statistic 114

Pipeline embolization device occludes 90% at 1 year

Statistic 115

Open repair durability 95% at 5 years for AAA

Statistic 116

Vasospasm prophylaxis with nimodipine in 100% SAH patients

Statistic 117

TEVAR mortality <2% in high-volume centers

Statistic 118

Aspirin reduces growth in small aneurysms 20%

Statistic 119

Intra-arterial milrinone for vasospasm 70% improvement

Statistic 120

Rebleeding prevention with antifibrinolytics controversial

Statistic 121

Radiation therapy for inoperable aneurysms 50-70% occlusion

Statistic 122

Angioplasty for vasospasm 60-80% angiographic success

Statistic 123

Surveillance ultrasound every 6-12 months for small AAA

Sources
Trusted by 500+ publications
Harvard Business ReviewThe GuardianFortune+497
Far from a rare anomaly, an aneurysm is a silently prevalent threat, lurking in approximately 3.5% of the global population and ultimately claiming a life from a rupture every 18 minutes.

Key Takeaways

  • About 3-5% of the U.S. population has an unruptured brain aneurysm
  • Globally, brain aneurysms affect approximately 3.5% of the population
  • Incidence of subarachnoid hemorrhage from aneurysm rupture is 6-10 per 100,000 person-years
  • Smoking increases aneurysm risk by 4.3 times
  • Hypertension is present in 60-70% of ruptured aneurysm cases
  • Family history increases risk 4-6 fold
  • Symptomatic aneurysm rupture warning headache in 40-50%
  • Sudden severe headache ("thunderclap") in 70-80% of ruptures
  • Nausea/vomiting occurs in 70% of subarachnoid hemorrhage cases
  • Coiling treats 70-80% of aneurysms endovascularly
  • Clipping success rate 90-95% for accessible aneurysms
  • EVAR reduces perioperative mortality to 1.2% vs 4.4% open repair
  • Mortality 40-50% for ruptured brain aneurysms
  • 50% of ruptured AAA patients die before hospital
  • Good outcome (mRS 0-2) in 66% coiled vs 53% clipped (ISAT)

Aneurysms are surprisingly common but their rupture risk varies widely.

Epidemiology

  • About 3-5% of the U.S. population has an unruptured brain aneurysm
  • Globally, brain aneurysms affect approximately 3.5% of the population
  • Incidence of subarachnoid hemorrhage from aneurysm rupture is 6-10 per 100,000 person-years
  • Aortic aneurysms account for about 1-2% of deaths in men over 65
  • Prevalence of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) in men aged 65-74 is 5.5%
  • Unruptured intracranial aneurysms are found in 3.6-6% of autopsies
  • Annual rupture rate for unruptured aneurysms is 0.5-1%
  • AAA prevalence in smokers is 4 times higher than non-smokers
  • Brain aneurysms are more common in women (2:1 ratio)
  • Incidence of ruptured brain aneurysms peaks between ages 40-60
  • About 30,000 people in the U.S. suffer aneurysm ruptures annually
  • Global incidence of aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage is 10.5 per 100,000
  • Thoracic aortic aneurysms prevalence is 0.1% in general population
  • Mycotic aneurysms occur in 2-4% of infective endocarditis cases
  • Familial intracranial aneurysms in 10-20% of cases
  • AAA screening detects aneurysms in 1.3% of screened men 65-74
  • Unruptured aneurysm prevalence on angiography is 2-4%
  • Rupture risk increases with aneurysm size >7mm (3-15%)
  • Popliteal artery aneurysms in 0.1-2.8% of peripheral aneurysms
  • Brain aneurysm rupture causes 10% of all strokes
  • AAA rupture incidence is 5-10 per 100,000
  • Women have higher rupture risk for same size aneurysms
  • Prevalence of intracranial aneurysms in hypertensive patients is 6.9%
  • Annual detection rate of unruptured aneurysms rising due to imaging
  • Splenic artery aneurysms in 0.04-0.1% population
  • Renal artery aneurysms prevalence 0.65%
  • Cavernous carotid aneurysms in 2-9% of intracranial aneurysms
  • Incidence of pediatric aneurysms is 0.5-2 per million
  • HIV-associated aneurysms in 4.5% of cases
  • Overall aneurysm prevalence in adults >30 is ~2%

Epidemiology Interpretation

While statistically you're more likely to win a small lottery than suffer a rupture, these silent, ticking timepieces hidden in a surprising number of us underscore why vigilance, not panic, is the prescribed response to such pervasive fragility.

Prognosis and Mortality

  • Mortality 40-50% for ruptured brain aneurysms
  • 50% of ruptured AAA patients die before hospital
  • Good outcome (mRS 0-2) in 66% coiled vs 53% clipped (ISAT)
  • 30-day mortality post-EVAR 1.8%
  • Case fatality for SAH 45%
  • Rebleeding mortality 20-30% if untreated
  • Delayed cerebral ischemia causes 25% poor outcomes
  • 5-year survival post-AAA repair 70%
  • WFNS grade 5 has 70% mortality
  • Unruptured aneurysm repair morbidity 10-15%
  • Ruptured thoracic aneurysm mortality 70-90%
  • 1-year mortality post-SAH 50% in elderly
  • Vasospasm mortality contribution 15%
  • EVAR rupture prevention reduces mortality 50-70%
  • Hydrocephalus increases mortality 20%
  • Seizures worsen prognosis (OR 2.3)
  • Fisher grade 4 SAH has 60% poor outcome
  • Long-term cognitive impairment in 50% SAH survivors
  • AAA >5.5cm rupture risk 10%/year
  • Pediatric aneurysm mortality 20-40%
  • Re-rupture after coiling 1-2%/year

Prognosis and Mortality Interpretation

While the cold calculus of survival reveals a grim landscape—where a coin flip often decides fate after rupture and even a "good" outcome can come with a lifetime of cognitive fog—these very statistics are the stark battleground upon which every advance in treatment wages a defiant, percentage-point-by-percentage-point war for life.

Risk Factors

  • Smoking increases aneurysm risk by 4.3 times
  • Hypertension is present in 60-70% of ruptured aneurysm cases
  • Family history increases risk 4-6 fold
  • Smoking doubles the risk of AAA development
  • Age >55 is a major risk factor for aortic aneurysms
  • Female sex increases rupture risk for brain aneurysms
  • Polycystic kidney disease associated with 10-20% aneurysm prevalence
  • Atherosclerosis contributes to 90% of AAAs
  • Connective tissue disorders like Marfan syndrome increase risk 15-fold
  • Hypercholesterolemia raises AAA risk by 2.5 times
  • Alcohol consumption >2 drinks/day triples risk
  • Cocaine use associated with 1.5-3.6% mycotic aneurysms
  • Ehlers-Danlos syndrome type IV has 25-50% aneurysm risk
  • Obesity increases AAA growth rate by 20%
  • African American ethnicity higher rupture risk for same size
  • Prior aneurysm doubles risk for new ones
  • Diabetes may protect against AAA (OR 0.6)
  • Loeys-Dietz syndrome has 50% aortic aneurysm risk
  • Bicuspid aortic valve increases thoracic aneurysm risk 20-fold
  • Estrogen deficiency post-menopause raises risk
  • Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) increases AAA risk 2.7-fold
  • Radiation exposure elevates risk by 2-3 times
  • Antihypertensive use reduces rupture risk by 30%

Risk Factors Interpretation

While your family tree, high blood pressure, and pack-a-day habit are conspiring to turn your arteries into over-inflated party balloons, remember that laying off the smokes and managing your hypertension are like bringing a sober, responsible friend to that dangerous soiree in your chest.

Symptoms and Diagnosis

  • Symptomatic aneurysm rupture warning headache in 40-50%
  • Sudden severe headache ("thunderclap") in 70-80% of ruptures
  • Nausea/vomiting occurs in 70% of subarachnoid hemorrhage cases
  • Neck stiffness in 30-40% post-rupture
  • Visual disturbances in 20-30% with unruptured aneurysms
  • Cranial nerve palsies (III, IV, VI) in 15-20%
  • Photophobia common in 25% of cases
  • Altered consciousness in 50% at rupture
  • Seizures in 10-25% post-rupture
  • Back/abdominal pain in 50% of AAA ruptures
  • Pulsatile abdominal mass in 30-50% of intact AAAs
  • Facial pain or numbness if cavernous sinus involvement
  • CTA detects 95% of aneurysms >3mm
  • MRI/MRA sensitivity 85-95% for unruptured aneurysms
  • DSA gold standard with 95-99% sensitivity
  • Ultrasound screens AAA with 95% sensitivity >3cm
  • WFNS grade predicts outcome; grade 1 has 93% good recovery
  • Sentinel bleed (warning leak) in 40-50% before major rupture
  • Hydrocephalus in 20-30% post-SAH
  • Loss of consciousness at ictus in 45%
  • Focal deficits like hemiparesis in 15%
  • Fundoscopic exam shows subhyaloid hemorrhage in 20%
  • CT shows hyperdensity in 95% within 24h of SAH
  • Lumbar puncture xanthochromia after 12h in 100%
  • Mass effect symptoms in giant aneurysms (>25mm) 50%
  • Claudication or embolism in peripheral aneurysms 30%
  • Sudden hypotension/shock in 80% AAA rupture

Symptoms and Diagnosis Interpretation

If you can't decide between calling your new sudden, severe headache "The Exorcist" or "The Final Warning Siren," statistically, it's probably both.

Treatment

  • Coiling treats 70-80% of aneurysms endovascularly
  • Clipping success rate 90-95% for accessible aneurysms
  • EVAR reduces perioperative mortality to 1.2% vs 4.4% open repair
  • ISAT trial: coiling better than clipping (23% vs 30% mortality/disability)
  • Flow diversion success 75-90% for large aneurysms
  • Beta-blockers reduce aortic growth by 25-40%
  • Nimodipine reduces poor outcome by 30% post-SAH
  • Endovascular repair for thoracic aneurysms 85% success
  • Stent-assisted coiling in 20-30% complex cases
  • Watchful waiting for <7mm unruptured aneurysms
  • Statins slow AAA expansion by 0.5mm/year less
  • Decompressive craniectomy in 10-15% severe SAH
  • Pipeline embolization device occludes 90% at 1 year
  • Open repair durability 95% at 5 years for AAA
  • Vasospasm prophylaxis with nimodipine in 100% SAH patients
  • TEVAR mortality <2% in high-volume centers
  • Aspirin reduces growth in small aneurysms 20%
  • Intra-arterial milrinone for vasospasm 70% improvement
  • Rebleeding prevention with antifibrinolytics controversial
  • Radiation therapy for inoperable aneurysms 50-70% occlusion
  • Angioplasty for vasospasm 60-80% angiographic success
  • Surveillance ultrasound every 6-12 months for small AAA

Treatment Interpretation

In the high-stakes poker game of aneurysm management, while clipping shows a strong hand for accessible targets and endovascular techniques like coiling increasingly raise the stakes with less invasive plays, the house always wins by emphasizing that the best intervention is often a tailored strategy blending prevention, timely action, and vigilant waiting.