What Black Americans Need to Know About Brain Aneurysm Risks
For many Black families, aneurysms only become part of the conversation when a loved one is in a sudden fight for life in an emergency room. Once an aneurysm ruptures, the consequences can be devastating.
According to the Brain Aneurysm Foundation, Black Americans are twice as likely to experience a brain aneurysm rupture as white Americans. Yet the crisis is rarely mentioned in public health campaigns or everyday conversations.
Aneurysms cannot heal by themselves and can be deadly. However, finding them early and taking action can prevent tragedy and save lives.
What Happens in the Brain
The Mayo Clinic describes a brain aneurysm, or cerebral aneurysm, as a bulging spot in weak areas of blood vessel walls that fills with blood. There, the spots can grow and leak (or rupture). That rupture, according to the Mayo Clinic, causes a “hemorrhagic stroke,” which is also known as bleeding on the brain. The classic warning sign is a “thunderclap headache” that hits without warning.
The Brain Aneurysm Foundation states that although one in fifty people has a brain aneurysm, most of them will never rupture. Yet almost half of all ruptures are fatal, and the majority of survivors end up with permanent neurological damage.
Why Black Americans Are at Higher Risk
High blood pressure, often called “the silent killer,” is the main cause of brain aneurysm rupture, according to the Cleveland Clinic. Nearly 60 percent of Black adults have high blood pressure and may develop it earlier in life because of factors like limited access to healthcare and food deserts, according to the American Heart Association.
High blood pressure also raises the risk of stroke. The American Stroke Association calls a stroke a “brain attack” because it happens when the brain’s oxygen supply is cut off and brain cells die. Black young adults are about four times more likely to have a stroke than white young adults.
The risk is even higher for Black women. A study in the American Journal of Neuroradiology found that Black women are more likely to have brain aneurysms, especially if they smoke or have a history of high blood pressure.
The Blind Spot in the System
The Brain Aneurysm Foundation reports that up to one in four people with aneurysms are misdiagnosed or face delays in treatment. Black Americans are also less likely to be diagnosed with aneurysms. As a result, they are less likely to get regular monitoring or proactive treatment, according to research in the American Journal of Neuroradiology.
Non-Invasive Scans That Save Lives
Finding an aneurysm before it bursts is crucial for early treatment. This can be done with imaging tests like Magnetic Resonance Angiography (MRA) or Computed Tomography (CT) scans. Medical guidelines recommend screening for people with two or more close relatives who have had aneurysms, or for those with severe high blood pressure and other risk factors like smoking.
Knowing the Warning Signs
The Brain Aneurysm Foundation says unruptured aneurysms usually have no symptoms, but a rupture often causes sudden and severe symptoms. Many people call it “the worst headache of your life.” This “thunderclap” headache brings intense pain within seconds. Sometimes, an aneurysm can also cause subtle warning signs that are easy to miss or mistake for something less serious. The Foundation urges people to watch for sudden or severe headache, nausea or vomiting, vision changes like double vision, pain above or behind the ear, confusion, and facial numbness. Other emergency signs include a stiff neck, seizure, sensitivity to light, sudden confusion, or loss of consciousness. Seek immediate medical attention. Do not wait or ignore these symptoms.
How to Self-Advocate
If you have a thunderclap headache, the Mayo Clinic says to “seek medical attention right away.” If an ER provider says it is just a migraine, you can ask for a head CT scan or MRA to check for bleeding. Speaking up for yourself can lead to early treatment and prevent a life-changing crisis.
