The rupture of a brain aneurysm is life-threatening.
Aneurysms are more common than you think and are mostly discovered by chance because they are silent. Aneurysm rupture is scary. It is brutal and requires you to call 15 immediately.
“The vessels of the brain are normally straight. In the event of an aneurysm, a small dilation of the wall of the artery is created, forming a small ball on the vessel. The aneurysm is small, generally less than 5 mm and can be found on all vessels of the brain, although more often on the arteries of the anterior circulation”explains Professor Charlotte Cordonnier, head of the neurovascular department at Lille University Hospital. “In certain cases, these small aneurysms rupture, causing an aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage. This is then a form of serious stroke which is life-threatening and functional.” 65% of people affected by subarachnoid hemorrhage are women, or 8 cases out of 5000 per year. This is explained in particular by the drop in estrogen at the time of menopause, weakening the arterial wall if it is already sensitive.
“It’s like a clap of thunder”
An aneurysm that has never bled is silent and therefore has no symptoms. If there are symptoms, it means that the aneurysm is rupturing and the situation becomes urgent. The symptoms are those defined in cerebrovascular accidents (CVA):
► An explosive and unusual headache. “It’s like a clap of thunder in a clear sky.” This is the most important symptom that should absolutely alert the affected person. This headache occurs when the artery tears.
► Loss of use of a limb. After the headache, other symptoms occur. After the artery ruptures, blood surrounds the brain and it begins to malfunction. Depending on where the blood is present, the patient suddenly loses the use of an arm or a leg.
► Difficulty speaking. Still depending on the area of the brain that is bloody, it malfunctions and this can cause difficulty communicating.
► A coma. Coma occurs when the amount of blood is large and surrounds the entire brain. Bleeding is therefore present around the brain stem which provides the trigger for breathing and being awake.
In subarachnoid hemorrhage, the symptoms are the same in women and men. When these symptoms occur, it is urgent to contact 15, medical emergencies.
Thanks to Professor Charlotte Cordonnier, head of the neurovascular department at Lille University Hospital.