Celebrities who have brain aneurysms after Kim Kardashian shares own diagnosis

Reality television enthusiasts were left stunned this week following Kim Kardashian's revelation that she had been diagnosed with a brain aneurysm. The star, 45, shared the startling health news in the latest series of The Kardashians, which launched on Wednesday (October 23). She disclosed that medical experts had discovered a "little" aneurysm in her brain whilst conducting an MRI scan. According to the NHS, a brain aneurysm occurs when a blood vessel in the brain swells. Whilst they can rupture and trigger bleeding in uncommon instances, the majority remain small and produce no symptoms, reports the Mirror . Nevertheless, routine follow-up scans are required to ensure they don't enlarge. More substantial aneurysms may trigger symptoms including headaches, discomfort around the eyes, difficulties with short-term memory and double vision, whilst indicators that an aneurysm has ruptured include an abrupt and intense headache, frequently described as a 'thunderclap' headache. Whilst Kim's diagnosis has taken her followers by surprise, she's far from the only celebrity to have experienced one. Game of Thrones star Emilia Clarke endured a subarachnoid haemorrhage - an uncommon and potentially fatal form of stroke - whilst exercising in 2011, caused by a brain aneurysm rupturing. Recalling the instant she recognised something was amiss, she wrote in a New Yorker essay: "My trainer had me get into the plank position, and I immediately felt as though an elastic band were squeezing my brain." "Meanwhile, the pain - shooting, stabbing, constricting pain - was getting worse. At some level, I knew what was happening: my brain was damaged." She remained in intensive care for several days, managing to survive the terrifying ordeal and return to everyday life, only to learn in 2013 that her second brain aneurysm had grown to twice its original size, necessitating additional surgery. Basic Instinct actress Sharon Stone, 67, has similarly been candid about her own battle with the condition. Writing for The Hollywood Reporter, she detailed enduring a brain haemorrhage for nine days, followed by a two-year recovery period to regain her ability to walk and speak. "I was in an ICU for nine days and the survival rate for what I went through is very low," she penned. "I don't need someone to make me feel bad about growing older. I'll tell you what makes you feel bad: when you think you might not." Jazz legend Quincy Jones and rock icon Neil Young have likewise survived aneurysms. In his autobiography, Neil acknowledged his diagnosis prompted him to reconsider his wellbeing. Remembering the instance he learnt of his aneurysm, he recalled: "The bad news is you've got an aneurysm in your brain. You've had it for a hundred years, so it's nothing to worry about – but it's very serious, so we'll have to get rid of it right away." Season 7 of The Kardashians is now streaming on Disney