Salman Khan tells Kapil Sharma that he suffers from brain aneurysm, AV malformation: ‘Uske bawajood chal rahe hain’; doctor says both conditions pose ‘significant heath risks’

This is not the first time the Tiger actor has opened up about his health. In 2017, while promoting his film Tubelight, he had spoken about suffering from trigeminal neuralgia.

Let’s learn about these health issues from experts and explore whether they are curable.

Dr Narander Singla, lead consultant in internal medicine at CK Birla Hospital, Delhi, said that a brain aneurysm and an arteriovenous malformation (AVM) are “both related to abnormalities in the brain’s blood vessels and can pose significant health risks if not properly managed.”

A brain aneurysm is a bulge or ballooning in a weakened area of a blood vessel in the brain. “If it ruptures, it can lead to a hemorrhagic stroke, which is often life-threatening. The exact causes of brain aneurysms are not fully understood, but several risk factors have been identified. These include genetic predisposition, high blood pressure (hypertension), and lifestyle choices such as smoking. In many cases, brain aneurysms go undetected until they rupture, which is why early detection and monitoring are critical,” said Dr Singla.

Here’s what you should consider (Photo: Freepik)

On the other hand, an arteriovenous malformation (AVM) is a rare condition with an abnormal tangle of arteries and veins in the brain, bypassing normal capillary circulation. “This can disrupt the normal blood and oxygen flow, potentially leading to oxygen deprivation in brain tissues. AVMs can remain asymptomatic for years, but when they bleed, they can cause serious neurological complications, including seizures, headaches, and in severe cases, stroke or permanent brain damage,” said Dr Singla.

Dr Pankaj Agarwal, head of the department of neurology, Gleneagles Hospital Parel Mumbai, said causes behind these conditions can be genetic factors, high blood pressure, or they may be present from birth. “With advanced imaging like MRI and cerebral angiography, timely diagnosis has become more accurate and helps to improve the quality of life,” said Dr Agarwal.

Dr Sheetal Goyal, consultant neurologist, Wockhardt Hospitals, Mumbai Central stressed that the biggest worry is that these can lead to bleeding in the brain. “This can cause a sudden, severe headache, stroke, unconsciousness, or even be life-threatening. That’s why timely diagnosis and treatment are so important,” said Dr Goyal.

Treatment depends on the size, location, and severity of the aneurysm and/or AVM. “Options may include surgical intervention to clip or remove the abnormal vessels, endovascular procedures, which are minimally invasive techniques using catheters to repair the affected area, or radiosurgery, which uses targeted radiation to close off the malformed vessels in AVMs gradually,” said Dr Singla.

According to Dr Singla, while not always “curable” in the traditional sense, many individuals with brain aneurysms and AVMs live full, healthy lives with timely diagnosis and treatment. “Khan’s openness about his diagnosis may help raise awareness of these often overlooked but serious conditions, encouraging others to pay closer attention to neurological symptoms and seek early medical advice,” said Dr Singla.

Dr Goyal said that if someone has a sudden, very severe headache (often described as the worst ever), vision changes, weakness on one side of the body, or difficulty speaking, they should go to a hospital immediately. “If a brain aneurysm or AVM is found before any bleeding, doctors can plan treatment and prevent major problems,” said Dr Goyal.

DISCLAIMER: This article is based on information from the public domain and/or the experts we spoke to. Always consult your health practitioner before starting any routine.