A brain aneurysm has the potential to be deadly, and it’s one of the health emergencies that mean you have to go straight to the emergency room if you want to stand a chance. While something like a sprain can still be treated at home with some ice and patience, a brain aneurysm can’t. But most people won’t spot the symptoms of a brain aneurysm or the signs that one is about to occur – even when it’s staring them right in the face and their life depends on the outcome.
You are more at risk if you have high blood pressure, cholesterol, problems with blood clotting or a family history of any above. Even if you aren’t at an increased risk, you should still know the symptoms should they ever happen to you or someone around you. Here are fifteen symptoms of a brain aneurysm you should watch out for.
1. Headaches
First, you have to understand what a brain aneurysm is: Brain aneurysms are directly related to blood clots, and they can be triggered when a blood clot somewhere else in the body releases and makes its way up to the brain. If it lands in the heart, you have the potential for a heart attack or complete heart failure – but if it goes to the brain instead, then we’re talking about a brain aneurysm. Other causes that put you at risk include stress and diet, both of which affect your blood pressure.
Combine all of these factors and you’ve got the first symptom of a brain aneurysm: A nagging headache that refuses to go away no matter what. Be especially careful: Taking blood thinning painkillers such as aspirin might only make things worse and could even speed up the process and get you from a simple headache to a stroke.