A Mother’s Fight Against a Life-Threatening Brain Aneurysm
After years of enduring relentless headaches, Megan Jackson had learned to push through the pain. As a 27-year-old mother of two from Sunderland, she had become accustomed to dealing with discomfort on her own. However, when a persistent headache refused to go away, she decided it was time to seek medical help.
This decision led to a life-changing diagnosis: a potentially fatal brain aneurysm. Ms. Jackson described the fear that came with knowing something in her brain could kill her instantly. She expressed deep concerns about her children growing up without their mother and leaving behind her husband, Liam.
The Diagnosis and Emotional Impact
Ms. Jackson, who works as a nurse, had been managing headaches since her high blood pressure diagnosis in 2020. But in March 2025, the pain became unbearable, leaving her bedbound. Initially, she believed it was related to her high blood pressure and daily stress. However, this was far from the reality.
During her visit to the doctor, it was noticed that her left pupil was larger than the right. This prompted an emergency scan, which confirmed the presence of a brain aneurysm. The news was devastating—her aneurysm was too large for surgery.
The emotional toll was immense. Ms. Jackson and her husband were overwhelmed with sadness. She described seeing the pure grief in his face, a moment that highlighted the gravity of her condition.
Understanding Brain Aneurysms
A brain aneurysm is a swelling in a blood vessel in the brain. Risk factors include smoking, heavy drinking, old age, and high blood pressure. In the UK, around three per cent of people live with an unruptured aneurysm. Most are small and asymptomatic, often discovered incidentally during scans for other conditions.
However, larger aneurysms can cause symptoms such as severe headaches, vision changes, dizziness, numbness, and difficulty concentrating. Ms. Jackson has a 5mm aneurysm, which poses a significant risk if it ruptures, leading to a subarachnoid haemorrhage—a life-threatening condition.
To manage her condition, Ms. Jackson is on medication to control her blood pressure and reduce stress. She is currently on sick leave from her nursing job, following maternity leave after giving birth to her son, Albie, three months ago. She is also the mother of Georgie, aged two.
Adjusting to a New Reality
Ms. Jackson has come to terms with the possibility that she may not return to her nursing career. Each day she wakes up, she feels grateful to be alive. She is determined to make the most of every moment, living each day like it might be her last.
In her downtime, she has taken up baking, finding solace in the creative process. She has opened a cake shed that sells out every weekend. This new venture offers her a sense of purpose and allows her to spend more time with her family, creating lasting memories.
Diagnosing Aneurysms
Brain aneurysms are typically diagnosed using specialized imaging tests. These include CT scans, MRI or MRA scans, and cerebral angiography. During an angiography, dye is injected into the arteries to produce detailed images of the brain’s blood vessels, helping to identify any aneurysms.
While most aneurysms remain stable, about one in 100 will rupture, causing a subarachnoid haemorrhage. This rare but severe type of stroke is characterized by a sudden, intense headache, often described as a “thunderclap” headache. Ruptures can occur at any time, sometimes triggered by physical strain such as coughing, lifting heavy objects, or engaging in sexual activity.
Each year, approximately 3,000 to 5,000 people in the UK experience a ruptured aneurysm, with half of these cases resulting in death. However, not all aneurysms require treatment. Low-risk aneurysms may be monitored by doctors for any changes, especially if they are not causing symptoms.
Doctors assess factors such as the aneurysm’s location, size, shape, and the patient’s family history to determine the need for treatment. For many, regular monitoring is sufficient, allowing them to live normal lives while managing their condition.
