Producer and rapper Dr Dre says he is “doing great” after receiving treatment for a reported brain aneurysm.
He posted on Instagram from the intensive care unit of the Cedars-Sinai Medical Centre in Los Angeles on Tuesday.
The i newsletter latest news and analysis
“Thanks to my family, friends and fans for their interest and well wishes. I’m doing great and getting excellent care from my medical team,” he said.
“I will be out of the hospital and back home soon. Shout out to all the great medical professionals at Cedars. One Love!!”
The music mogul received messages of support from the likes of Snoop Dogg, Missy Elliot and Ice Cube.
What is a brain aneurysm?
According to the NHS, an aneurysm is a bulge in a blood vessel caused by a weakness in the blood vessel wall, usually where it branches.
They can develop in any blood vessel in the body, but are more common in the abdominal aorta and the brain.
The medical term for an aneurysm that develops inside the brain is an intracranial or cerebral aneurysm.
Most only cause noticeable symptoms if they rupture, which leads to an extremely serious condition known as a subarachnoid haemorrhage.
What are the symptoms?
Roughly three in five people who have a subarachnoid haemorrhage die within two weeks.
Half of those who survive are left with severe brain damage and disability.
The NHS lists the symptoms as follows:
- A sudden agonising headache – it’s been described as a “thunderclap headache”, similar to a sudden hit on the head, resulting in a blinding pain unlike anything experienced before
- A stiff neck
- Sickness and vomiting
- Pain on looking at light
What causes brain aneurysms?
The cause of brain aneurysms is not completely clear.
However, smokers, people with high blood pressure and those with a history of brain aneurysms in their family are more at risk.
How are they treated?
If a brain aneurysm is detected before it ruptures, doctors will sometimes decide to treat it to prevent it bursting.
However, most aneurysms do not rupture, so treatment is only carried out if the risk of a burst is particularly high.
If treatment is recommended, this usually involves either filling the aneurysm with tiny metal coils or an open operation to seal it shut with a tiny metal clip.
If your risk of a rupture is low, you’ll have regular check-ups to monitor your aneurysm.
You may also be given medicine to reduce your blood pressure.
