Ruptured berry aneurysms are most common in people 40 to 60 years old, and in slightly more women than men. Before berry aneurysms rupture, some people get warning signs. Small amounts of blood may leak from the aneurysm for hours or days, causing headaches, nausea and neck stiffness. Angiograms can locate a suspected unruptured aneurysm. Unfortunately, in more than 90 percent of cases there are no symptoms until the aneurysm bursts.
Rupture results in an excruciating headache, often accompanied by nausea and vomiting.
Loss of consciousness that follows may be temporary or may proceed to coma and death. Other symptoms may include personality changes, blurred vision, paralysis on one side of the body, speech impairment, seizures, and difficulty walking or talking, depending on where the rupture occurred and the amount of bleeding. In some cases, the ruptured artery stops bleeding by itself because swollen brain tissues in the area press against the rupture or a clot forms and plugs the rupture. Angiograms are usually necessary to show how large and where the rupture is located, and can pinpoint other aneurysms as well. Neurosurgeons can open the skull and repair the aneurysm, in most cases, by placing a metal clamp at its base.