An aneurysm is a bulging spot in a blood vessel. The walls of the vessel in an aneurysm are weak, stretched thin, and prone to rupture. A ruptured aneurysm inside the brain, known as a hemorrhagic stroke, is a life-threatening medical emergency. If a patient suffering a hemorrhagic stroke is brought to the hospital quickly, doctors may be able to reduce or stop the bleeding. But patients need medical attention at the first sign of stroke. A ruptured aneurysm is typically a sudden event, where symptoms begin rapidly with no warning. Symptoms may last and grow progressively worse, the American Heart Association notes, or they may pass quickly---but the patient requires emergency medical attention even if symptoms seem to have passed. Brain cells damaged during a stroke never regrow, and the functions those cells controlled may be lost completely---so the faster a patient receives medical attention, the stronger their chances of surviving and maintaining a high quality of life will be.
Sudden, Severe Headache
Patients who suffer a hemorrhagic stroke will usually report a headache of incredible intensity, what many patients describe as the worst headache they have ever experienced. It begins suddenly, and is often located in a precise spot, typically behind one eye.
Visual Disturbances
A hemorrhagic stroke may interfere with vision. Patients may not be able to tolerate light. They may have double-vision, or severely blurred vision. The American Heart Association notes that visual disturbances often begin in just one eye, though they may spread as the stroke progresses.
Numbness or Weakness on One Side of the Face or Body
A ruptured brain aneurysm may interfere with the brain's ability to control one side of the body. One half of the patient's face will often feel numb and appear stiff or slack. In more severe cases, the patient may lose some motor control over one half of the body. One arm and leg may be weak, or numb.
Difficulty Speaking or Understanding Speech
When a brain aneurysm ruptures, patients will often appear confused and unable to communicate. They may have difficulty speaking. The problem is not simply one of motor control -- patients may also have trouble understanding speech.
Dizziness, Loss of Balance
Patients who suffer a hemorrhagic stroke are often unable to walk or move on their own. They may suddenly grow dizzy, and lose balance or coordination. If a patient is able to walk, their gait will often appear heavy, and they may favor one leg.
