A Headache That Feels Like Being Hit by a Hammer or Struck by Lightning…What Could It Be?The key to treating all emergency conditions lies in securing the "golden time."However, there is one condition where the golden time becomes meaningless once it ruptures.That condition is a "cerebral aneurysm.A cerebral aneurysm is a condition where a specific area of a cerebral artery, which supplies blood to the brain, swells like a balloon or a pouch.If left untreated, a ruptured cerebral aneurysm can lead to a subarachnoid hemorrhage (brain hemorrhage).Experts advise that cerebral aneurysms can be effectively prevented with early diagnosis and appropriate treatment. According to the medical community on the 22nd, cerebral aneurysms are difficult to detect as they typically show no symptoms until they rupture.However, in rare cases, symptoms such as strabismus, double vision, or ptosis (drooping eyelids) may occur due to cranial nerve compression.When a cerebral aneurysm ruptures, blood leaks into the subarachnoid space in the brain, causing severe headaches described as "being hit by a hammer" or "lightning striking the head," often accompanied by vomiting.Depending on the extent of the bleeding, symptoms such as paralysis or speech impairments may occur, and in severe cases, it can lead to death.Dr. Seo Dae-cheol, Clinical Director of the Department of Neurointerventional Medicine at Gangnam Bedro Hospital, stated, “If you experience a headache accompanied by drooping eyelids, it could be a warning sign of a cerebral aneurysm rupture. Immediate consultation with a specialist and prompt treatment are essential.” The exact cause of cerebral aneurysm development remains unclear.However, the most commonly identified risk factors include hypertension, atherosclerosis, diabetes, and smoking.Women are 1.6 times more likely to develop cerebral aneurysms than men. Individuals with hypertension have a 1.5 times higher risk, those with heart disease have a 2 times higher risk, and those with a family history of stroke are 1.8 times more likely to develop the condition.In terms of age, the incidence rate is highest among individuals in their 40s to 60s, with cases beginning to appear from the 30s.To determine the presence of a cerebral aneurysm, an initial examination is conducted using computed tomography (CT) angiography.If suspicious findings are detected, further tests such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) are performed to assess the detailed location, shape, and size of the aneurysm.