What is a brain aneurysm? Symptoms and signs, causes and survival rate as rapper Dr Dre says he’s ‘doing great’

Dr Dre – the influential rapper and producer who was instrumental in the career of Eminem – has suffered a possible brain aneurysm, though says he is “doing great” as he receives “excellent care”.

Following reports he had been taken ill and was in hospital, the 55-year-old rapper shared an update on Instagram, thanking fans for their support and promising to be home “soon”.

He wrote: “Thanks to my family, friends and fans for their interest and well wishes. I’m doing great and getting excellent care from my medical team. I will be out of the hospital and back home soon. Shout out to all the great medical professionals... One Love!!”

But what is a brain aneurysm? What are the symptoms, and what should you do if you fear you are suffering from one?

Here is everything you need to know.

What is a brain aneurysm?

A brain aneurysm occurs when a blood vessel in the brain bulges.

This can be because the vessel has developed a weakness in its wall, and as blood passes through it, the pressure can cause a small area to balloon outwards.

Aneurysms can occur in any blood vessel in the body, though the brain is one of the most common locations, along with the abdominal aorta, the artery that transports blood away from the heart to the rest of the body.

How common are they, and what causes them?

Since brain aneurysms usually cause no symptoms and pass undetected it's difficult to estimate exactly how many people are affected by them – some experts believe it to be as high as one in 20 people, while others think the figure is much lower.

The number of aneurysms that actually rupture is much smaller, and only around one in 12,500 people have a ruptured brain aneurysm in England each year.

The exact causes of brain aneurysms are unknown, but the best preventative methods you can take include not smoking, not eating a high-fat diet, controlling high blood pressure, and not being overweight or obese.

Brain aneurysms can develop in anyone at any age, but are more common in people over the age of 40, and women tend to be affected more commonly than men.

What are the symptoms of a brain aneurysm?

According to the NHS, most brain aneurysms only cause noticeable symptoms if they burst or rupture.

When this happens, bleeding caused by the ruptured aneurysm can cause extensive brain damage and symptoms, an extremely serious condition called a subarachnoid haemorrhage.

Symptoms of a burst aneurysm include a stiff neck, sickness and vomiting and pain on looking at light, though the most common symptom is a sudden agonising headache.

The NHS says many parents have described the feeling as a “thunderclap” headache, equating the experience with “a sudden hit on the head, resulting in a blinding pain unlike anything experienced before.”

Ruptured brain aneurysms are a medical emergency. If you or someone else is experiencing the above symptoms, dial 999 and ask for an ambulance.

Are unruptured brain aneurysms a problem?

Despite brain aneurysms mostly presenting symptoms only once they have burst, they can cause noticeable symptoms even before they get to that stage.

These include visual disturbances (such as loss of vision or double vision), pain above or around your eye, numbness or weakness on one side of your face, difficulty speaking, headaches, loss of balance, and difficulty concentrating or problems with short-term memory.

Most aneurysms do not rupture, although it is vital you contact your GP if you are worried you are experiencing any of the above symptoms; it is important to get it checked in case preventative treatment is necessary.

Treatment is only carried out if the risk of a rupture is particularly high, but it’s highly important to get checked out – those with a low risk of rupture will have regular check-ups to monitor their condition.

Can you survive a brain aneurysm?

Brain aneurysms are survivable, but it is imperative you seek medical assistance as soon as you begin to feel the symptoms of a ruptured aneurysm.

According to the NHS, about three in five people who suffer a subarachnoid haemorrhage die within two weeks. Half of those who survive are left with severe brain damage and disability.

How are they treated?

If a brain aneurysm is detected before it ruptures, treatment may be recommended to prevent it rupturing in future.

Doctors will take into account your age, the size and position of the aneurysm, your family medical history, and any other health conditions.

If you are recommended for treatment, the standard procedure for tackling an unruptured aneurysm involves filling it with tiny metal coils, or an open operation to seal it shut with a metal clip.

Medicine may be prescribed to you to reduce blood pressure.

Aneurysms that have already ruptured are treated with similar methods.

For more information on brain aneurysms, head to the NHS’ website