A Breakthrough in Cerebral Aneurysm Research
Friday, October 07, 2011
A recent study revealed that women who develop cerebral aneurysms were less likely to have taken hormone replacement therapy (HRT ) or oral contraceptives. These results suggest that women who take estrogen may have an extra line of protection against cerebral aneurysms.
Women have about twice the likelihood of developing cerebral aneurysms than men. The risk of development increases significantly for women as they reach perimenopausal and menopausal age, around 40 and older. Women ages 50 to 59 have an increased risk of a cerebral aneurysm bursting, which may cause stroke or death. Other risk factors include:
■a family history of cerebral aneurysm
■hypertension
■smoking
About half of the women who develop cerebral aneurysms experience a ruptured aneurysm, which often manifests as a severe, sudden headache, other body aches, vomiting and seizures. Treatment options for cerebral aneurysm are still limited, and the few options available include surgery, blood pressure management and smoking cessation.
Though past studies may have suggested that estrogen contained in HRT or oral contraceptives may reduce a woman’s risk for cerebral aneurysm, these results have not been definitive. The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, a division of the National Institutes of Health and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, continues to fund research to learn more about cerebral aneurysm, including the construction of a specialized X-ray system that can noninvasively guide stents that help regulate blood flow for cerebral aneurysm patients.
The Study
Research in the Journal of NeuroInterventional Surgery, a publication of the British Medical Journal, analyzed 60 women diagnosed with cerebral aneurysms. The 60 women were asked about their histories of oral contraceptives and HRT, and the responses were compared with those of 4,682 women in the general public who were surveyed. Compared to the women from the general public, the 60 women with cerebral aneurysms were more likely to have less or no use of oral contraceptives or HRT. These women were also more likely to have begun menopause at an earlier age.
This study suggests that estrogen may prevent hemorrhagic stroke, a rupturing of cerebral aneurysm. Because estrogen contributes to the structure of blood vessel walls and facilitates the growth of endothelial cells inside the vessels, maintaining a healthy level of estrogen may decrease the chances of cerebral aneurysm. Women often experience significant drops in estrogen levels during menopause, which is why women of that age are more likely to develop cerebral aneurysms.
The study authors say it may further the understanding of the development of cerebral aneurysm and possible treatments. Learning more about estrogen’s effect on this condition may help physicians identify patients at risk and ways to delay or stop the development of cerebral aneurysm.
MD News October 2011
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Friday, October 07, 2011
A recent study revealed that women who develop cerebral aneurysms were less likely to have taken hormone replacement therapy (HRT ) or oral contraceptives. These results suggest that women who take estrogen may have an extra line of protection against cerebral aneurysms.
Women have about twice the likelihood of developing cerebral aneurysms than men. The risk of development increases significantly for women as they reach perimenopausal and menopausal age, around 40 and older. Women ages 50 to 59 have an increased risk of a cerebral aneurysm bursting, which may cause stroke or death. Other risk factors include:
■a family history of cerebral aneurysm
■hypertension
■smoking
About half of the women who develop cerebral aneurysms experience a ruptured aneurysm, which often manifests as a severe, sudden headache, other body aches, vomiting and seizures. Treatment options for cerebral aneurysm are still limited, and the few options available include surgery, blood pressure management and smoking cessation.
Though past studies may have suggested that estrogen contained in HRT or oral contraceptives may reduce a woman’s risk for cerebral aneurysm, these results have not been definitive. The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, a division of the National Institutes of Health and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, continues to fund research to learn more about cerebral aneurysm, including the construction of a specialized X-ray system that can noninvasively guide stents that help regulate blood flow for cerebral aneurysm patients.
The Study
Research in the Journal of NeuroInterventional Surgery, a publication of the British Medical Journal, analyzed 60 women diagnosed with cerebral aneurysms. The 60 women were asked about their histories of oral contraceptives and HRT, and the responses were compared with those of 4,682 women in the general public who were surveyed. Compared to the women from the general public, the 60 women with cerebral aneurysms were more likely to have less or no use of oral contraceptives or HRT. These women were also more likely to have begun menopause at an earlier age.
This study suggests that estrogen may prevent hemorrhagic stroke, a rupturing of cerebral aneurysm. Because estrogen contributes to the structure of blood vessel walls and facilitates the growth of endothelial cells inside the vessels, maintaining a healthy level of estrogen may decrease the chances of cerebral aneurysm. Women often experience significant drops in estrogen levels during menopause, which is why women of that age are more likely to develop cerebral aneurysms.
The study authors say it may further the understanding of the development of cerebral aneurysm and possible treatments. Learning more about estrogen’s effect on this condition may help physicians identify patients at risk and ways to delay or stop the development of cerebral aneurysm.
MD News October 2011
Only registered and activated users can see links., Click Here To Register...
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