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Topics: Kim Kardashian, The Kardashians, Celebrity, US News, Health
Rhianna Benson
Topics: Kim Kardashian, The Kardashians, Celebrity, US News, Health
Fans of Kim Kardashian have been frantically researching the signs and symptoms of a brain aneurysm, after the reality TV star this week opened up about a major blow to her health.
In the latest episode of The Kardashians from its seventh season, the mother-of-four broke the news that she'd been suffering from severe stress in her personal life, which had started affected her physical health.
In a teaser for the upcoming series of the hit show, Kardashian, 45, can be seen going through an MRI scanner, later letting her big-name family know: "There was a little aneurysm."
In a visible state of shock, the star's older sister Kourtney then exclaims, 'Woah!'.
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In response, the SKIMS boss goes on to explain: "They were like, 'Just stress'."
According to Mayo Clinic, a brain aneurysm describes the bulging or swelling of a blood vessel in this area. This happens in cases where blood flowing through this vessel puts extreme pressure on a weak area of one of its walls.
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Thankfully, however, in the majority of cases, brain aneurysms aren't serious - especially if they're small - and, if anything, they're quite common. In cases where a rupture hasn't occurred, symptoms rarely present themselves.
In severe instances, however, if this aneurysm bursts, a bleed on the brain - known as a hemorrhagic stroke - can be triggered.
This usually causes symptoms like a severe headache, nausea and vomiting, a stiff neck, blurred or double vision, sensitivity to light, a seizure, a loss of consciousness, or confusion.
Experts from Cleveland Clinic believe there are a number of factors that contribute to the likelihood of developing a brain aneurysm, as well as others they believe could cause it to rupture.
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In most cases, it is thought that high blood pressure is the most common cause of a rupture, being that this makes blood push harder against blood vessel walls. But what causes high blood pressure? Stress, of course.
"Ongoing stress or a sudden burst of anger or other strong emotion," experts from CC suggest, as well as the likes of, 'Working hard (straining) to lift, carry or push something heavy like weights or furniture."
In Kardashians' case, however, it seems to have been the former that has had the biggest effect.
Following her MRI, the teaser previously mentioned suddenly cuts to previously-filmed footage of Kardashian in tears over her recent law exam, before cutting back to another 1-1 interview with the star, where she discusses her highly-publicised split from ex-husband Kanye West.
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"I’m happy it’s over," she tells viewers. "My ex will be in my life no matter what. We have four kids together."
Kardashian filed for divorce from West in 2021 whilst citing 'irreconcilable differences'. The controversial rap star's behaviour in public had begun causing concern the year prior, following a diagnosis of bipolar in 2016.
As well as launching a far-right presidential campaign, the 48-year-old musician, 48, made offensive remarks in the open - largely online, alongside damning accusations against both his wife and her family.
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Despite her divorce being finalised in 2022, only recently has Kardashian opened up about the impact that her ex's mental health struggles, unpredictable behaviour and public controversies have had on both herself and their children.
In a recent speech, she claimed she endured 'Stockholm syndrome' in her marriage, saying: "I always felt like I had a little bit of Stockholm syndrome to where I always felt really bad and always protected, and always like wanted to help, and this was the first time I didn't feel that responsibility personally."
Kardashian also discussed the responsibility she feels towards her children, saying: "As much as people think that I have the luxury of walking away and not dealing ever again, that's not my reality.
"It's a divorce, not a kidnapping, we haven't left, we're in the same spot we have the same address so he knows where his kids are at. "It's very confusing because it'll be all this talk on the internet about like I'm keeping the kids - he's never once called and asked.
"But I'll wake up and it's on Twitter that I'm keeping the kids, so it's just when it's not true and not rational."
Given that the majority of small aneurysms do not cause any symptoms, treatment is hardly ever needed, as per the NHS.
That said, however, if diagnosed, it might be important to book in regular follow-up scans following your initial appointment, to check if it’s getting bigger.
In cases where there's a risk of the aneurysm bursting, or if it’s already burst, however, doctors may need to schedule surgery.
This could either involve surgical clipping, which sees a small metal clip attached to the blood vessel in the brain to stop blood flowing towards the swelling, or an endovascular surgery, whereby a coil or piece of wire mesh is put inside the aneurysm to slow the flow of blood and encourage the formation of a clot.