Brain Aneurysm

​Most will not experience any signs until the aneurysm becomes fairly large or ruptures.

A large aneurysm may exert pressure on a nerve or surrounding brain tissue and may cause widening of the pupils (pupillary dilatation), visual disturbances, numbness, weakness, or paralysis on one side of the face or eye pain.

Up to 40% of patients may experience sudden, intense and persistent headaches (sentinel headaches) days to weeks before the aneurysm ruptures.

When it ruptures, these signs may follow:

• Sudden onset of severe headache, often described as the “worst” headache of their lives
• Nausea and/or vomiting
• Change in mental state or loss of consciousness
• Seizure
• Stiff neck
• Sensitivity to light
• Vision and/or speech impairment
• Numbness and/or weakness of body

Call 995 or visit the Emergency Department if you experience any of these symptoms. A rupture may be fatal or cause permanent brain damage.