A brain aneurysm is a balloon-like dilation that develops in weakened blood vessels. Drinking alcohol can increase your risk of developing these aneurysms as well as increase their risk of rupturing.

Brain (cerebral) aneurysms develop along weakened points within blood vessels of your brain. The resulting dilations (widening of the blood vessels) can vary in size from less than 0.5 millimeters (mm) to more than 25 mm.

While there are a number of causes and risk factors that can contribute to weakened arteries and aneurysms in your brain, some of them can be controlled. One example is alcohol consumption.

Excessive alcohol consumption is associated with an increased risk of brain aneurysms. Also, research suggests that drinking alcohol may increase your risk of a rupture, a life threatening complication of this condition.

Whether you’ve recently received a diagnosis of a brain aneurysm or are concerned about your personal risk, consider talking with a doctor about whether avoiding alcohol might help.

Heavy alcohol use may increase your risk of brain aneurysms, especially if you have additional risk factors, such as advanced age and high blood pressure (hypertension).

Alcohol can affect your blood vessels several ways. First, it can weaken your arteries, with the risk especially greater among people who binge drink. Drinking can also raise your blood pressure and triglyceride levels.

Also, if you already have a brain aneurysm, a doctor will likely recommend that you avoid alcohol.

As one long-term review of 4,701 people with aneurysms found, current alcohol consumption was associated with ruptures, but former alcohol use was not. Such results could suggest that if you receive a diagnosis of a brain aneurysm, you may decrease your risk of a rupture by quitting drinking.

Researchers also found that there was a correlation between higher risk of a rupture and the number of drinks per day. This further supports the need for quitting drinking if you receive a diagnosis of a brain aneurysm.

Another more recent study published in 2022 concluded that alcohol use disorder was associated with a less favorable outlook for people with a brain aneurysm, including ruptures.

Aside from avoiding alcohol, a doctor may also recommend you quit smoking. Not only does smoking increase your risk of developing multiple brain aneurysms, but it’s also been linked to a higher risk of rupture if you already have one.

If you’ve received a diagnosis of a brain aneurysm, maintaining healthy blood pressure levels can also help decrease your risk of a rupture. Untreated hypertension can weaken the arteries in your brain over time and can cause aneurysms to burst.

Depending on their size, some unruptured brain aneurysms may cause symptoms. While smaller aneurysms tend to not cause symptoms, large ones may press on your brain tissues and nerves. This may cause chronic symptoms that worsen over time, such as:

  • vision changes
  • pain behind your eye
  • dilated pupil in your eye
  • weakness and numbness
  • one-sided facial paralysis

Symptoms of a ruptured aneurysm are more severe

On the other hand, symptoms of a ruptured brain aneurysm are more acute and come on suddenly out of nowhere. Signs and symptoms include:

  • severe, debilitating headache that comes on suddenly (thunderclap headache)
  • stiff neck
  • double vision or sensitivity to light
  • nausea or vomiting
  • seizure
  • cardiac arrest
  • loss of consciousness

What to do if you suspect a ruptured brain aneurysm

A ruptured brain aneurysm is considered a medical emergency. If you or a loved one experiences a sudden and severe headache, loss of consciousness, or other possible symptoms, call 911 or local emergency services.

Prompt treatment can reduce your risk of bleeding, brain damage, and stroke, which all may be life threatening.

If you or a loved one has received a diagnosis of a brain aneurysm, or are concerned about the risk of developing one, you likely have a lot of questions. Aside from drinking alcohol, consider talking with a doctor about the following frequently asked questions.

What are the typical causes of brain aneurysms?

The risk of developing a brain aneurysm increases with age. People assigned female at birth between the ages of 30–60 years old are at the highest risk, as well as adults with a family history of aneurysms. Certain genetic conditions, such as polycystic kidney disease, may also increase your risk.

Other causes of brain aneurysm may be controlled. These include:

What is the life expectancy of a person with a brain aneurysm?

While there’s not an accurate way to predict the exact life expectancy in someone who’s received a diagnosis of a brain aneurysm, it’s important to call 911 or local emergency services and get medical help immediately if a rupture occurs.

After a rupture, the average life expectancy is 75% within 24 hours and 50% after 3 months. Research also suggests that a treated rupture has a 40% mortality rate.

Do unruptured brain aneurysms cause symptoms?

Unruptured aneurysms don’t usually cause symptoms until they grow large enough to press on the nerves and tissues inside your brain. Small aneurysms that don’t change may not cause symptoms. In fact, it’s possible to have an aneurysm without even knowing it.

How is a brain aneurysm typically treated?

Brain aneurysm treatment depends on the size, location, and the presence of risk factors of a future rupture.

For example, a doctor may recommend surgery for a high-risk, large, or symptomatic aneurysm. Other options include treatment for underlying risks that could lead to a future rupture, such as hypertension medications.

Alcohol consumption can influence the development of brain aneurysms in several ways. Not only can heavy drinking increase your risk of having this type of aneurysm, but drinking any amount of alcohol may also lead to a higher chance of a rupture.

If you have a brain aneurysm or are concerned about your risk, consider talking with a doctor about your drinking habits.

Along with drinking alcohol, there are other risk factors that influence the development and rupture of brain aneurysms, too.