Kim Kardashian shares her unexpected diagnosis of a small brain aneurysm, highlighting the importance of awareness, monitoring, and treatment options for this often silent condition.
Kim Kardashian, a famous media figure and businesswoman, has disclosed that she was diagnosed with an intracranial aneurysm, also known as a brain aneurysm. About one in 50 people experience intracranial aneurysms, and many are unaware of them. The details of Kim Kardashian’s symptoms are not yet known.
The 45-year-old celebrity revealed this health news during a trailer for season seven of “The Kardashians,” which premiered Thursday on Hulu.
“They discovered a small aneurysm,” Kardashian says during the preview clip that plays at the start of the season’s first episode. This incidental finding came as a surprise to the star and her family.
Kourtney Kardashian Barker reacts with a worried “Whoa” when her sister shares the news.
In the clip, Ms. Kardashian seems to connect the issue to chronic stress. The preview also shows her undergoing what appears to be a brain scan or MRI scan, which are common medical imaging techniques used to diagnose intracranial aneurysms.

Kim Kardashian in Beverly Hils, 2015
Photo credit: Love Lira Fashion, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Intracranial aneurysms are more common than people think. The incidence rate shows that about 2% of the population has an unruptured brain aneurysm. Most do not know they have it because these aneurysms often show no clear symptoms and are discovered as an incidental finding during imaging tests for other conditions.
It is unknown if Ms. Kardashian had any symptoms. By Thursday, her representative hadn’t responded to questions asking for more details.
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In rare situations, larger unruptured aneurysms can lead to severe headaches, weakness, speech difficulties, or difficulty balancing, along with other symptoms. When an aneurysm ruptures, it can bring on a sudden, intense headache often described as a “thunderclap headache.” Patients often call it the worst headache they have ever felt. This rupture might also lead to nausea, double vision, confusion, loss of consciousness, or seizures. A burst aneurysm is very dangerous and might cause a haemorrhagic stroke, brain damage, or even death. In fact, ruptured brain aneurysms account for a significant number of deaths worldwide annually.
Aneurysms are swollen areas in a blood vessel of the brain. Dr. Shazam Hussain, head of the Cerebrovascular Center at Cleveland Clinic, describes them as being like “a weak spot on a tire.”
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Treatment is not always needed for intracranial aneurysms, and there are various treatment options available when intervention is necessary.
Neurosurgeons and other specialists often just monitor unruptured aneurysms through natural history studies. “Not all brain aneurysms need treatment,” says Dr Aditya Pandey, head of the Department of Neurosurgery at the University of Michigan Health. He looks at many factors before choosing a treatment plan. These include the location of the aneurysm, its size (larger ones have a higher rupture risk), shape, and whether the patient’s family has a history of similar issues. He also considers other factors that might cause the aneurysm to grow or rupture, like cigarette smoking or uncontrolled hypertension. If treatment is required, surgical interventions to fix aneurysms are often highly effective.
“Doctors can often handle these conditions, and many of them need watching. If treatment is needed, there are plenty of good methods available,” Dr. Hussain explained.
Can stress increase the chance of an aneurysm?
Ms. Kardashian’s remarks in the clip hint at a possible link between stress and her aneurysm, but Dr. Hussain addresses this misunderstanding. He stated, “Medical research does not show that stress directly causes aneurysms.” While ongoing chronic stress might lead to hypertension, which is a well-known risk factor for aneurysms, he added, “We don’t link stress as the primary reason for aneurysm development.” Common factors known to increase the chances of aneurysms include untreated hypertension, cigarette smoking, and inherited genetic risks.
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It is also notable that Ms. Kardashian has encouraged the use of full-body MRI scans, even though many doctors warn that these extensive imaging tests might not be useful or necessary for everyone without specific medical indications.
For those seeking more information about intracranial aneurysms, their symptoms, and treatment options, the Brain Aneurysm Foundation is an excellent resource, offering comprehensive information and support for patients and their families.
Source:
Alexandra E. Petri and Dani Blum (October 232, 2025). The New York Times. Kim Kardashian Announces Brain Aneurysm Diagnosis. Here’s What to Know.https://www.nytimes.com/2025/10/23/well/kim-kardashian-brain-aneurysm.html
Header Image: Kim Kardashian in Beverly Hils, 2015
Photo credit: Love Lira Fashion, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
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