Preparing for an appointment

Brain aneurysms are often detected after they've ruptured and become medical emergencies. However, a brain aneurysm may be detected when you've undergone head-imaging tests for another condition.

If such test results indicate you have a brain aneurysm, you'll need to discuss the results with a specialist in brain and nervous system disorders (neurologist, neurosurgeon or neuroradiologist).

What you can do

To make the best use of your time with your doctor, you may want to prepare a list of questions, such as:

• What do you know about the size, location and overall appearance of the aneurysm?
• Do the imaging test results provide evidence of how likely it is to rupture?
• What treatment do you recommend at this time?
• If we wait, how often will I need to have follow-up tests?
• What steps can I take to lower the risk of an aneurysm rupturing?

What to expect from your doctor

Your neurologist, neurosurgeon or neuroradiologist may ask you the following questions to help determine the best course of action:

• Do you smoke?
• How much alcohol do you drink?
• Do you use recreational drugs?
• Are you being treated for high blood pressure, high cholesterol or other conditions that increase the risk of cardiovascular disease?
• Do you take your medications as prescribed by your doctor?
• Is there a history of brain aneurysm in your family?