Support and Empowerment: Living with a Brain AVM and Finding Hope

December 23rd, 2024 by Reza J. Karimi, MD and Daniel E. Walzman, MD

An arteriovenous malformation (AVM) is a tangling of blood vessels that occur in the brain. If you have an AVM, it is very likely that you were born with this condition. Unfortunately, most people do not know they have an AVM until problems begin to happen. AVMs can bleed into the brain, which can be a serious and life-threatening emergency.

Receiving an AVM diagnosis is frightening and for those who are affected there can be a significant impact on quality of life. However, there are several options available to help patients enhance their physical and mental health during treatments.

Fortunately, many individuals with an AVM can expect to live full and healthy lives following a diagnosis. Staying on top of your medical care and regularly speaking with your physician is extremely important in managing this condition.

By taking care of yourself physically and emotionally, including a healthy diet and regular exercise, you will be able to remain an active and informed participant in your care and treatment.

Some individuals have found that through gaining a better understanding of AVM’s and their impact, there is a renewed sense of empowerment and hope. Those with an AVM may also benefit from speaking with counselors, therapists or support groups such as the AVM Survivors Network.

Symptoms of an Arteriovenous Malformation

While many people will have no symptoms of an AVM, some people will experience varying severity of the following:

Headaches
Seizures
Dizziness
Muscle weakness
Vision problems
Loss of coordination
Language problems
Sensations such as tingling, numbness or spontaneous pain
Dementia
Confusion
Memory problems

Treating an Arteriovenous Malformation

Treatment for an AVM depends on its location and how high the risk a person is at from bleeding. Some AVM’s will never burst or rupture, but many can. Fortunately, if AVM treatment is necessary, current surgical treatment methods are safer and more effective than ever.

There are medications available that can help to reduce AVM symptoms such as seizures and headaches. However, to stop the AVM from bleeding, the AVM needs to be completely removed or cured by a Neurosurgeon. This can be accomplished through methods such as conventional surgery, radiosurgery or an endovascular embolization.

Living with an Arteriovenous Malformation

Although the outlook for AVM patients is generally positive, risks do exist. Organizations like the Brain Aneurysm Foundation and the AVM Foundation are valuable resources for information and support. While living with an AVM may be difficult, knowing that you have support is very important.

An AVM rupture can be life threatening, but early evaluation and proper treatment will help ensure the best possible outcomes. In fact, with prompt expert medical care, most people with AVMs can live active lives.

Our physicians and surgeons are highly skilled in performing complex treatments for neurosurgical conditions such as brain AVMs. At New Jersey Brain and Spine, we have successfully treated many hundreds of brain and spine AVM’s using the latest available techniques. For more information on our available treatments and procedures please contact us today.

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