Medical Term of the Week

I hear this term alot, but didn't realize that I had no idea what it was!
Aneurysm : A weakened point in a blood vessel where blood pressure can push outward creating a balloon like projection. This isn't dangerous in itself, but it is if it ruptures which would result in uncontrolled bleeding that can lead to death. Very common in the aorta (largest artery and carries blood from the heart to other organs) and in the brain. Genes may contribute because they find that aneurysms tend to run in families with the men most likely to have them. An aneurysm doesn't often cause pain but may cause other symptoms such as vision loss if it is in the brain.