GITNUXREPORT 2025

Aneurysm Statistics

Aneurysms pose high rupture risk, causing significant mortality and neurological deficits.

Jannik Linder

Co-Founder of Gitnux, specialized in content and tech since 2016.

First published: April 29, 2025

Our Commitment to Accuracy

Rigorous fact-checking • Reputable sources • Regular updatesLearn more

Statistic 1

The current screening method for abdominal aortic aneurysm is ultrasound, which has a sensitivity of around 95%

Statistic 2

Approximately 40% of unruptured cerebral aneurysms are found incidentally during imaging for other conditions

Statistic 3

Diagnostic ultrasound for abdominal aneurysm screening has a false-negative rate of less than 5%, making it a reliable screening tool

Statistic 4

The risk of rupture increases significantly when an abdominal aneurysm exceeds 5.5 cm in diameter

Statistic 5

The annual rupture risk for small unruptured cerebral aneurysms (<7mm) is approximately 0.5-1%

Statistic 6

Up to 50% of patients with ruptured cerebral aneurysm experience severe neurological deficits

Statistic 7

The diameter of an aneurysm is the most significant predictor in rupture risk assessment, with larger sizes correlating with higher risk

Statistic 8

Approximately 60% of ruptured cerebral aneurysms occur in the anterior circulation, especially in the circle of Willis

Statistic 9

Inflammatory processes are involved in the pathogenesis of some aneurysms, especially in cases of infectious or vasculitic etiologies

Statistic 10

The rate of aneurysm growth is typically less than 2mm per year, but some aneurysms grow faster depending on size and location

Statistic 11

Hemodynamic stress is a key factor in aneurysm formation and growth, with areas of high wall shear stress being particularly vulnerable

Statistic 12

Approximately 80% of patients with brain aneurysms have multiple aneurysms, complicating treatment strategies

Statistic 13

Connection between inflammation markers like C-reactive protein (CRP) and aneurysm formation has been observed, indicating possible inflammatory pathways involved

Statistic 14

Approximately 30,000 people in the United States die each year from aneurysms

Statistic 15

The prevalence of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) in men over 65 is about 4-7%

Statistic 16

Up to 75% of patients with cerebral aneurysms are asymptomatic before rupture

Statistic 17

Subarachnoid hemorrhage from ruptured cerebral aneurysm accounts for about 5-10% of all strokes

Statistic 18

Women are more likely than men to develop aneurysms, accounting for approximately 60-70% of cases of cerebral aneurysm rupture

Statistic 19

The average age of presentation for cerebral aneurysm is between 50 and 60 years old

Statistic 20

The global incidence of aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage is about 10 per 100,000 person-years

Statistic 21

About 15% of people with a ruptured intracranial aneurysm die before reaching hospital

Statistic 22

The overall prevalence of cerebral aneurysms in the general population is about 2-3%, detected incidentally on imaging studies

Statistic 23

The risk of aneurysm rupture increases with age, particularly after age 50, with a higher incidence in the 60s and 70s

Statistic 24

The prevalence of thoracic aortic aneurysm is roughly 5-10 cases per 100,000 individuals per year

Statistic 25

The average age at diagnosis for thoracic aortic aneurysm is around 60 years old, with a slight male predominance

Statistic 26

Smoking increases the risk of aneurysm formation and rupture by about 3-4 times

Statistic 27

Family history of aneurysm significantly increases risk, with about 20% of patients having a first-degree relative with an aneurysm

Statistic 28

Approximately 25% of patients with unruptured cerebral aneurysms will experience rupture within 10 years

Statistic 29

Patients with connective tissue disorders like Marfan syndrome are at increased risk for aneurysm development

Statistic 30

Hypertension is present in over 70% of patients with ruptured intracranial aneurysm, significantly contributing to rupture risk

Statistic 31

The lifetime risk of developing an aneurysm in individuals with certain genetic syndromes is estimated at 20-30%, depending on the syndrome

Statistic 32

The incidence of ruptured aneurysms is higher in populations with poor control of risk factors such as hypertension and smoking

Statistic 33

Mutations in the Notch signaling pathway have been associated with familial forms of aneurysm, contributing to genetic predisposition

Statistic 34

Women with postmenopausal estrogen deficiency are at increased risk of cerebral aneurysm formation, linked to hormonal factors

Statistic 35

Approximately 15-20% of patients with a cerebral aneurysm will experience a second aneurysm rupture within 10 years if untreated

Statistic 36

Hypertension doubles the risk of developing abdominal aortic aneurysm, making blood pressure control vital in prevention

Statistic 37

The mortality rate after ruptured cerebral aneurysm is approximately 40-50%

Statistic 38

Surgical clipping and endovascular coiling are common treatments for cerebral aneurysms, with overall success rates exceeding 90%

Statistic 39

The recurrence rate of cerebral aneurysms after endovascular coiling is approximately 20-25%, requiring follow-up imaging

Statistic 40

For abdominal aneurysms, elective repair reduces the risk of rupture by about 80%

Statistic 41

The average cost of surgical repair for an abdominal aortic aneurysm in the US ranges from $20,000 to $50,000

Statistic 42

The 5-year survival rate after aneurysm rupture is approximately 60%, though varies based on severity and prompt treatment

Statistic 43

The annual cost related to aneurysm care in the United States exceeds $5 billion, including surgical, hospital, and follow-up expenses

Statistic 44

Endovascular coiling has become the preferred method for many intracranial aneurysms due to its minimally invasive nature, with increasing adoption worldwide

Statistic 45

The recurrence rate of aneurysms after surgical clipping is around 5-10%, requiring follow-up imaging

Slide 1 of 45

Sources

Our Reports have been cited by:

Trust Badges - Publications that have cited our reports

Key Highlights

Approximately 30,000 people in the United States die each year from aneurysms
The prevalence of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) in men over 65 is about 4-7%
The risk of rupture increases significantly when an abdominal aneurysm exceeds 5.5 cm in diameter
Up to 75% of patients with cerebral aneurysms are asymptomatic before rupture
Subarachnoid hemorrhage from ruptured cerebral aneurysm accounts for about 5-10% of all strokes
The annual rupture risk for small unruptured cerebral aneurysms (<7mm) is approximately 0.5-1%
Women are more likely than men to develop aneurysms, accounting for approximately 60-70% of cases of cerebral aneurysm rupture
Smoking increases the risk of aneurysm formation and rupture by about 3-4 times
Family history of aneurysm significantly increases risk, with about 20% of patients having a first-degree relative with an aneurysm
The mortality rate after ruptured cerebral aneurysm is approximately 40-50%
Up to 50% of patients with ruptured cerebral aneurysm experience severe neurological deficits
The current screening method for abdominal aortic aneurysm is ultrasound, which has a sensitivity of around 95%
The average age of presentation for cerebral aneurysm is between 50 and 60 years old

Did you know that each year, approximately 30,000 Americans lose their lives to aneurysms—a silent yet deadly threat that often remains undetected until rupture?

Diagnosis, Screening, and Detection

The current screening method for abdominal aortic aneurysm is ultrasound, which has a sensitivity of around 95%
Approximately 40% of unruptured cerebral aneurysms are found incidentally during imaging for other conditions
Diagnostic ultrasound for abdominal aneurysm screening has a false-negative rate of less than 5%, making it a reliable screening tool

Diagnosis, Screening, and Detection Interpretation

With ultrasound's near-perfect sensitivity and incidental findings revealing invisible threats, it's clear that when it comes to aneurysm detection, a prudent scan can be both a lifesaver and a silent sentinel—proving that sometimes, seeing is literally believing.

Disease Characteristics and Pathophysiology

The risk of rupture increases significantly when an abdominal aneurysm exceeds 5.5 cm in diameter
The annual rupture risk for small unruptured cerebral aneurysms (<7mm) is approximately 0.5-1%
Up to 50% of patients with ruptured cerebral aneurysm experience severe neurological deficits
The diameter of an aneurysm is the most significant predictor in rupture risk assessment, with larger sizes correlating with higher risk
Approximately 60% of ruptured cerebral aneurysms occur in the anterior circulation, especially in the circle of Willis
Inflammatory processes are involved in the pathogenesis of some aneurysms, especially in cases of infectious or vasculitic etiologies
The rate of aneurysm growth is typically less than 2mm per year, but some aneurysms grow faster depending on size and location
Hemodynamic stress is a key factor in aneurysm formation and growth, with areas of high wall shear stress being particularly vulnerable
Approximately 80% of patients with brain aneurysms have multiple aneurysms, complicating treatment strategies
Connection between inflammation markers like C-reactive protein (CRP) and aneurysm formation has been observed, indicating possible inflammatory pathways involved

Disease Characteristics and Pathophysiology Interpretation

While the risk of aneurysm rupture escalates markedly once the abdominal aneurysm surpasses 5.5 cm and larger cerebral aneurysms loom larger in danger, the silent progression of small aneurysms—often harboring multiple foes and influenced by inflammatory and hemodynamic forces—reminds us that size is just one piece in the complex puzzle of cerebrovascular vulnerability.

Epidemiology and Demographics

Approximately 30,000 people in the United States die each year from aneurysms
The prevalence of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) in men over 65 is about 4-7%
Up to 75% of patients with cerebral aneurysms are asymptomatic before rupture
Subarachnoid hemorrhage from ruptured cerebral aneurysm accounts for about 5-10% of all strokes
Women are more likely than men to develop aneurysms, accounting for approximately 60-70% of cases of cerebral aneurysm rupture
The average age of presentation for cerebral aneurysm is between 50 and 60 years old
The global incidence of aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage is about 10 per 100,000 person-years
About 15% of people with a ruptured intracranial aneurysm die before reaching hospital
The overall prevalence of cerebral aneurysms in the general population is about 2-3%, detected incidentally on imaging studies
The risk of aneurysm rupture increases with age, particularly after age 50, with a higher incidence in the 60s and 70s
The prevalence of thoracic aortic aneurysm is roughly 5-10 cases per 100,000 individuals per year
The average age at diagnosis for thoracic aortic aneurysm is around 60 years old, with a slight male predominance

Epidemiology and Demographics Interpretation

While aneurysms silently threaten thousands each year—often striking with little warning among middle-aged women—they underscore the critical need for awareness, early detection, and intervention before they become a deadly statistical surprise.

Risk Factors and Predispositions

Smoking increases the risk of aneurysm formation and rupture by about 3-4 times
Family history of aneurysm significantly increases risk, with about 20% of patients having a first-degree relative with an aneurysm
Approximately 25% of patients with unruptured cerebral aneurysms will experience rupture within 10 years
Patients with connective tissue disorders like Marfan syndrome are at increased risk for aneurysm development
Hypertension is present in over 70% of patients with ruptured intracranial aneurysm, significantly contributing to rupture risk
The lifetime risk of developing an aneurysm in individuals with certain genetic syndromes is estimated at 20-30%, depending on the syndrome
The incidence of ruptured aneurysms is higher in populations with poor control of risk factors such as hypertension and smoking
Mutations in the Notch signaling pathway have been associated with familial forms of aneurysm, contributing to genetic predisposition
Women with postmenopausal estrogen deficiency are at increased risk of cerebral aneurysm formation, linked to hormonal factors
Approximately 15-20% of patients with a cerebral aneurysm will experience a second aneurysm rupture within 10 years if untreated
Hypertension doubles the risk of developing abdominal aortic aneurysm, making blood pressure control vital in prevention

Risk Factors and Predispositions Interpretation

While smoking, hypertension, and genetic predispositions significantly elevate aneurysm risks—particularly among women, the familial line, and those with connective tissue disorders—it's clear that vigilant management and awareness remain our best defenses against this silent threat that threatens 20-25% of unruptured aneurysms over a decade.

Treatment, Management, and Outcomes

The mortality rate after ruptured cerebral aneurysm is approximately 40-50%
Surgical clipping and endovascular coiling are common treatments for cerebral aneurysms, with overall success rates exceeding 90%
The recurrence rate of cerebral aneurysms after endovascular coiling is approximately 20-25%, requiring follow-up imaging
For abdominal aneurysms, elective repair reduces the risk of rupture by about 80%
The average cost of surgical repair for an abdominal aortic aneurysm in the US ranges from $20,000 to $50,000
The 5-year survival rate after aneurysm rupture is approximately 60%, though varies based on severity and prompt treatment
The annual cost related to aneurysm care in the United States exceeds $5 billion, including surgical, hospital, and follow-up expenses
Endovascular coiling has become the preferred method for many intracranial aneurysms due to its minimally invasive nature, with increasing adoption worldwide
The recurrence rate of aneurysms after surgical clipping is around 5-10%, requiring follow-up imaging

Treatment, Management, and Outcomes Interpretation

While advanced treatments like coiling and clipping boast success rates over 90%, the sobering reality remains that ruptured aneurysms carry a mortality rate of up to 50%, and with annual U.S. costs surpassing $5 billion, the challenge is as immense as the resilience needed to survive and prevent these silent yet deadly threats.