About the topic
A brain aneurysm is a bulge in a brain blood vessel. Many cause no symptoms. A leak or rupture can cause life-threatening bleeding and needs immediate hospital care.
Practical care & comfort
- If diagnosed, keep the specialist follow-up and scan plan.
- Work with your clinician to manage blood pressure and stop smoking.
- Discuss activity and driving with your specialist.
Symptoms & signs
- Many unruptured aneurysms cause no symptoms.
- Persistent pain around an eye or changes in vision may occur.
- A sudden, extremely severe headache is an emergency warning sign.
When to speak with a clinician: Persistent or worsening headache, pain around an eye or ongoing vision changes needs prompt medical review.
Food & nutrition
A healthy diet supports risk-factor management; it does not shrink an aneurysm. Suspected bleeding needs emergency care, with feeding decisions made by the treating team.
Foods & nutrition to follow
- For ongoing care, choose vegetables, fruit, whole grains and pulses.
- Use less salt as part of the blood-pressure plan agreed with your clinician.
Foods to limit or avoid
- Limit salty packaged foods and excess alcohol.
- During a suspected rupture, give nothing orally if awareness or swallowing is impaired.
About this guide
General adult health information; it does not diagnose your symptoms or replace individual medical advice. Follow any plan your treating team has given you.
Further reading from the clinical sources used for this guide: