Who is Hereditary Brain Aneurysm Support (HBA Support)?

Hereditary Brain Aneurysm Support is a charity dedicated to helping individuals and families affected by brain aneurysms with a proven or suspected hereditary link. We provide information and support to raise awareness and understand this condition more.

What services does Hereditary Brain Aneurysm Support provide?

Hereditary Brain Aneurysm Support provides information and support for individuals and families affected by brain aneurysms with a proven or suspected hereditary link. We also aim to raise awareness and help people understand brain aneurysms better.

How many people are affected by brain aneurysms?

Approximately 1 in 30 people in the UK have an unruptured brain aneurysm, and about 15,000 people experience a ruptured brain aneurysm each year.

What causes brain aneurysms?

A history of aneurysms in a family increases the risk of brain aneurysm, with unruptured brain aneurysms occurring more frequently in individuals with a strong family history of brain aneurysms. Environmental factors such as smoking and high alcohol consumption can also increase the likelihood of a brain aneurysm.

Are brain aneurysms treatable?

Yes, brain aneurysms can be treated through surgical clipping or endovascular coiling, among other methods. The appropriate treatment depends on the size, location, and condition of the aneurysm as well as the risk of rupture.

Should I get screened for brain aneurysms if they run in my family?

Early detection of brain aneurysms can help manage risks and prevent potential complications, however Screening for brain aneurysms is a personal choice. Some people who are offered screening choose not to know due to the increased worry and anxiety it may bring. Often talking about your risks with specialists and genetic counsellors can help you understand the risks and make an informed choice for yourself.

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Introducing Hereditary Brain Aneurysm Support

Hereditary Brain Aneurysm Support (HBA Support) is the UK's first patient-centred organisation to provide information and support for people affected by hereditary brain aneurysms and their families.

We support people affected by hereditary brain aneurysms, building a community for families that have been given a hereditary brain aneurysm diagnosis or suspect there is a pattern or cluster in their family.

Since 2022, we've been supporting hundreds of people affected, working with the medical, research, and policy communities to improve information and research.

More About HBA Support

What is a brain aneurysm?

An aneurysm is a bulge in a blood vessel caused by a weakness in the blood vessel wall, usually where it branches.

Thousands of people live well with brain aneurysms without knowing they carry one. Only when they rupture (burst) can they be fatal or life-changing for the person and their family.

When a rupture happens, it is usually very sudden and without warning.

Are brain aneurysms hereditary?

Most cases of brain aneurysms are sporadic, meaning they are sudden and have no genetic hereditary pattern.

However, sometimes, cases of brain aneurysms cluster or run in families. This is rare, but it can impact families severely when it happens.

If you have a strong family history of brain aneurysms, there is a 2.3% to 29.4% chance of having an unruptured brain aneurysm, compared with 0.2% - 8.8% of the general population.

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