Aneurysm and Headache: 9 Ways to Know if I’m in Danger
When many people think of an aneurysm (or aneurism), they think of a severe headache and severe danger. Although aneurysms aren’t always like that, it is important to be aware of how headache and aneurysm can relate.
An aneurysm is an abnormal ballooning or widening of an artery. That means they can actually happen in many parts of the body, though some locations are more likely than others. Though no one is certain what causes all aneurysms, there are cases when they may be caused by a defect in the artery wall. High blood pressure, high cholesterol, smoking, drug abuse, and pregnancy are all common risk factors.
Sometimes aneurysms don’t cause any symptoms at all, but simply show up when you’re being tested for something else. At times your doctor won’t even recommend you have it treated.
 An Angiograph of a Brain Aneurysm Photo courtesy of Lucien Monfils |
The most common type of aneurysm related to headache is the brain aneurysm. The bulge in a blood vessel in the brain may grow, leak, or rupture.
If the aneurysm is small, or even large, there may be no symptoms at all. If an aneurysm like this is discovered, you’ll need to talk to your doctor about whether or not treatment is needed.
If there are symptoms, they might include:
- Pain – usually above or behind an eye
- A drooping eyelid (which may also be a symptom of cluster headache)
- A dilated pupil
- Change in vision (ie double vision)
- Numbness or weakness on one side of the face
You need to see your doctor if you’re experiencing these symptoms.
If the aneurysm begins to leak, or ruptures, that’s when it becomes an emergency (if it ruptures you need to get to a doctor NOW). But how do you tell?
- Sudden, severe headache. This may happen with a leak (which usually becomes a rupture) or an actual rupture. If you have a sudden headache, perhaps the worst you’ve ever had, get to a doctor right away.
- Nausea (also common in migraine, of course)
- Sensitivity to light (another very common migraine symptom)
- Stiff neck
- Blurred or double vision
- Drooping eyelid (again, a common cluster symptom)
- Seizure
- Unconsciousness
- Confusion
Important: You do not have to have all these symptoms to have a ruptured aneurysm. But if you have a sudden, severe, headache, or if you have a combination of a couple of these symptoms or more, make sure your doctor is aware – and see her right away if these are new symptoms.
Your doctor will need to know about your cardiovascular health in general, any family history of aneurysms, and your use of drugs/alcohol/tobacco. Then tests will be ordered, such as a CT scan, MRI, ultrasound and/or angiogram. Depending on the type of aneurysm and other factors, you may need surgery, medication, or other therapies.
There are other conditions that may cause some similar symptoms – such as the so-called ophthalmoplegic migraine, sex headache or orgasm headache, or another type of "thunderclap headache" not caused by aneurysm. And of course we’ve talked about similarities with migraine and cluster.
Although unruptured aneurysms in general are fairly common, thankfully ruptured aneurysms are rare, and fatalities from brain aneurysms are even rarer (about 1 in 25,000 each year in the United States). Hopefully being aware of the risks and symptoms will help us get that number a lot lower.
18 May 2016 @ 4:17 pm
I have high blood pressure that is not treated due to its off and on when I gave birth to my son I had to go for emergency c section cause my blood pressure was 229 over 219 and I had a hysterectomy during tha th cause I was bleeding to death and for the past three weeks I have been bleeding like I’m on my period and have woke up twice this week with a migrant and puking along with the headache also in the last two weeks gotten bloody noses which are not comment with me I am worryed about a brain anyerizums cause my grandpa had one and my dad has bad BP problems and my uncle just die last week from a heart attack , I am out in the middle of nowhere and have no doctor am I gonna die out here
26 May 2016 @ 9:25 pm
I think you need to be on a watch by a doc as soon as you can.. Something may be off for sure; especially if you are bleeding post hysterectomy (regarless how long ago it was). Please take care of yourself
7 March 2017 @ 10:46 am
Hi my name is jessica. I recently had a headache which made a migraine feel like a walk in the park. I had uncontrollable vomiting, i felt paralyzed couldnt get out of bed. Went to er doctor didnt touch me simply said we cant do anything gor your headache. Also vomitted at the hospital. So i went home stayed in bed til the next day. Woke up washed my faced and noticed a broken blood vessel in my eye. Also during the headache my eye was squinting close by itself. The pain went from eye to temple branched down yheough my jaw and down back of my head to my kneck. Now the back of my eye is sore along with my temple and jaw. I dont want to go to er again just to be pushed away but now im getting scared. Has anyone had these symptoms? Thanks for listening.
15 March 2017 @ 2:21 pm
Can cluster headaches cause an aneurism
17 April 2017 @ 11:34 pm
These are the exact symptoms I just started experiencing… did you happen to find out what was wrong
23 February 2018 @ 9:47 am
I had a ruptured brain anurysm 7 yrs ago. Im a survivor. In the middle of the night i woke to a terrible headache. I was squeezing my head to try and elevate the pain. Tylenole and the sinus medicine seemed to help. The pain felt like it was in the middle of my brain. Could it have been a ruptured or unruptured brain anurysm? Im a 58 yr old female. My worst fear is this happening again.
8 January 2020 @ 12:32 am
did you hit your head or get in a MVA? Fall or upset the head? Thy sound like thunder clap headaches read up on it – or aneurysm I just had the same thing request no demand a CTA – it will detect the anyurism they let me suffer for 120 days after a MVA and found two – docotrs suck take charge of your health CTA get one