Brain aneurysms are more common than you may think.
They’re slightly more common in women than men. Each year an estimated 1 in 50 people have a brain aneurysm,1and approximately 24,000 in Europe2,* have ruptured aneurysms.
What is a brain aneurysm?
A cerebral or brain aneurysm is a bulge or ballooning in an artery in the brain caused by weakness in the blood vessel wall. Untreated brain aneurysms may burst (rupture), resulting in what’s called hemorrhagic or cerebral stroke.
They’re slightly more common in women than men.
Brain aneurysms are slightly more common in women than men, especially those who are in their late 40s to mid-50s. However, an aneurysm may occur at any age.1
What are the symptoms?
When an aneurysm ruptures, one always experiences a sudden and extremely severe headache known as a thunderclap headache (e.g., the worst headache of your life). Symptoms* of ruptured aneurysm include, but are not limited to.3
- Nausea/vomiting
- Stiff neck
- Blurred or double vision
- Sensitivity to light
- Seizure
- Drooping eyelid
- A dilated pupil
- Pain above and behind the eyes
- Loss of consciousness
- Confusion
- Weakness and/or numbness
If you are experiencing any of the above symptoms don’t hesitate to visit your GP.
What the risk factors for an aneurysm to rupture?
Size
Location
Growth
Smoking
Hypertension
Family History
Ethnicity
Women
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Learn more about the risk factors and treatment options.
*
In a population without comorbidity, a mean age of 50 years, and a 50:50 gender split. United Nations, Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Population Division (2019). World Population Prospects 2019, Online Edition. Rev. 1.
References:
1
Neurologic disorders (Chapter 3). In: Professional Guide to Diseases, 9th edn. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, 2009.
2
United Nations, Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Population Division (2019). World Population Prospects 2019, Online Edition. Rev.
3
https://www.bmj.com/content/346/bmj.e8557.
4
Cerebral Aneurysms Fact Sheet. NIH Website https://www.ninds.nih.gov/Disorders/Patient-Caregiver-Education/Fact-Sheets/Cerebral-Aneurysms-Fact-Sheet#6. Accessed on 2022-08-16.
5
W. Brinjikji, et al. Risk Factors for Growth of Intracranial Aneurysms: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. American Journal of Neuroradiology. April 2016, 37 (4) 615-620.
6
Vlak MH, Rinkel GJ, Greebe P, Algra A. Risk of rupture of an intracranial aneurysm based on patient characteristics: A case-control study. Stroke 2013; 44: 1256-9.
7
Nahed BV, DiLuna ML, Morgan T, et al. Hypertension, age and location predict rupture of small intracranial aneurysms. Neurosurgery. 2005;57: 676–683.
8
Broderick JP, Brown RD, Jr., Sauerbeck L, Hornung R, Huston J, III, Woo D, et al. Greater rupture risk for familial as compared to sporadic unruptured intracranial aneurysms. Stroke 2009;40:1952-7.
9
Greving JP, Wermer MJ, Brown RD, Jr., Morita A, Juvela S, Yonekura M, et al. Development of the phases score for prediction of risk of rupture of intracranial aneurysms: A pooled analysis of six prospective cohort studies. Lancet Neurol 2014; 13: 59-66.
10
J. P. Mohr, Philip A. Wolf, Michael A. Moskowitz, Marc R Mayberg, Rudiger Von Kummer. Stroke E-Book: Pathophysiology, Diagnosis, and Management. 2011; 589-590.
11
Vallée JN, Pierot L, Bonafé A, et al. Endovascular treatment of intracranial wide-necked aneurysms using three-dimensional coils: Predictors of immediate anatomic and clinical results. Am J Neuroradiol. 2004;25(2): 298–306.
12
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/thunderclap-headaches/symptoms-causes/syc-20378361
13
Sekhon S, Sharma R, Cascella M. Thunderclap Headache. [Updated 2023 Jun 4]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2023 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK560629/