Stroke primarily includes two types: ischemic stroke (blockage of blood vessels leading to brain damage), hemorrhagic stroke. In Hemorrhagic stroke, there are many types. In intracerebral hemorrhage (bleeding within the brain from ruptured vessels due to high blood pressure), and subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) involving bleeding on the brain’s surface. SAH, often caused by brain aneurysms, is less common but particularly severe.

Notable cases like Emilia Clarke’s and Sharon Stone’s have highlighted the risks and recoveries from SAH. Clarke survived two instances of SAH and continued her acting career, while Stone took seven years to fully recover from her 2001 SAH.

A brain aneurysm is a balloon-like bulge in a blood vessel, which can rupture, causing SAH. Symptoms often include sudden, severe headaches, nausea, or vomiting. Sometimes aneurysms rupture without immediate symptoms, leading to unconsciousness or even death before reaching a hospital. In the U.S., the prevalence of unruptured aneurysms is about 1 in 50, with a diagnosis average age of 50, and it’s more common in women.

The exact cause of aneurysms is unknown, but high blood pressure, smoking, family history, and certain genetic conditions contribute to their formation. Diagnosis involves CT or MRI scans with angiography, followed by detailed imaging via catheter angiography.

Treatment varies based on whether an aneurysm has ruptured. For ruptured aneurysms, emergency treatment is crucial, while unruptured ones are managed electively. Treatment methods include surgical clipping or endovascular coiling. Coiling, a less invasive technique introduced about 30 years ago, is now widely used. Newer treatments like flow-diverters offer promising results for challenging cases. Advances in medical science have greatly improved the management of these critical conditions.