The Lead Off
- A brain aneurysm specialist is encouraging Americans to recognize the warning signs of a potentially life-threatening ruptured aneurysm
- Nearly 7 million Americans are estimated to have an unruptured brain aneurysm, according to the Brain Aneurysm Foundation
- Medical experts say sudden, severe headaches require immediate emergency evaluation to rule out a ruptured aneurysm
NEW YORK (WOWO) A neurologist specializing in neurovascular care is encouraging Americans to learn the warning signs of brain aneurysms and understand the importance of seeking emergency medical attention when symptoms develop.
According to the Brain Aneurysm Foundation, an estimated 7 million Americans—about one in every 50 people—are living with an unruptured brain aneurysm. The organization estimates approximately 30,000 people in the United States experience a ruptured brain aneurysm each year, or about one every 18 minutes.
What is a brain aneurysm?
Jeremy M. Liff, a triple board-certified neurologist and neurovascular specialist, said a brain aneurysm develops when a weakness in a blood vessel gradually enlarges over time.
“A brain aneurysm is a defect of a blood vessel. Over time, the defect gets bigger and bigger, like a balloon,” Liff said. “When it eventually ruptures, you have a catastrophic hemorrhage called a subarachnoid hemorrhage in the brain. It can be a very life-threatening event and requires immediate attention.”
Symptoms often appear only after rupture
Liff said many people with an unruptured brain aneurysm have no symptoms and may not know one is present.
He said modern imaging technology, including magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and specialized computed tomography (CT) scans, can identify aneurysms before they rupture.
“The detection of a brain aneurysm has gotten much easier over the last few years,” Liff said. “Most people who have aneurysms never know it. There are no symptoms until they become catastrophic.”
Emergency warning signs
Liff said emergency physicians treat reports of a sudden, severe headache as a potential medical emergency because it can indicate a ruptured brain aneurysm.
“If someone comes to the emergency room with the worst headache of their life, we have to suspect from the very beginning that they have a ruptured aneurysm,” Liff said.
He said emergency evaluation typically includes immediate CT imaging and additional testing to determine whether bleeding or an aneurysm is present. If confirmed, patients may require urgent surgery or other specialized treatment.
Reducing risk factors
According to Liff, two of the most important modifiable risk factors are smoking and uncontrolled high blood pressure.
He said quitting smoking and maintaining healthy blood pressure levels can reduce the risk of aneurysm complications while also improving overall cardiovascular health.
Recovery can be life-altering
Liff said outcomes following a ruptured brain aneurysm can be severe.
According to the information he provided:
- About one-third of patients die within 30 days of a rupture.
- Approximately two-thirds experience significant long-term effects.
- Some survivors require lifelong rehabilitation and assistance because of neurological injuries.
He said identifying and treating an aneurysm before it ruptures offers the best opportunity to avoid those outcomes.
Next steps
Health experts encourage individuals experiencing the sudden onset of an extremely severe headache or other symptoms suggestive of a medical emergency to seek immediate emergency care. People concerned about their personal risk for a brain aneurysm should discuss their medical history and risk factors with their healthcare provider to determine whether screening or additional evaluation is appropriate.
The Takeaway
Brain aneurysms often go unnoticed
Millions of Americans may have an unruptured brain aneurysm without symptoms, making awareness of risk factors and appropriate medical evaluation important.
Sudden severe headache is a medical emergency
Experts say the sudden onset of the “worst headache of your life” should be treated as a potential emergency because it may signal a ruptured brain aneurysm requiring immediate treatment.
Prevention focuses on modifiable risks
Neurologists say quitting smoking, controlling blood pressure, and discussing individual risk factors with a healthcare provider may help reduce the risk of aneurysm-related complications.
