Salman Khan Opens Up About Battling Brain Aneurysm And Other Conditions: Experts Weigh In

Last Updated:June 24, 2025, 17:00 IST

Salman Khan revealed he is battling trigeminal neuralgia, brain aneurysm, and AV malformation. Health experts have weighed in and answered what this means.

Actor Salman Khan recently left his fans shocked when he shared updates about his health. The actor recently appeared on the latest episode of The Great Indian Kapil Show on Netflix and revealed that he is battling not one, but three major neurological conditions – brain aneurysm, trigeminal neuralgia, and arteriovenous (AV) malformation.

Speaking on the show, Salman Khan said, “I’m out here breaking my bones every day – ribs are fractured, I’m working despite having trigeminal neuralgia, there is an aneurysm in the brain, yet I’m still working. There’s also an AV malformation, and still, I’m carrying on.”

Trigeminal neuralgia is a chronic pain disorder characterised by sudden, intense, shock-like pain on one side of the face. On the other hand, arteriovenous (AV) malformation is a condition involving an abnormal cluster of blood vessels that disrupts normal connections between arteries and veins. While AV malformations most commonly affect the brain and spinal cord, they can also occur in other parts of the body. Brain aneurysms, though relatively common, are another serious condition. If left untreated, a ruptured aneurysm can lead to life-threatening complications.

To better understand the 59-year-old actor’s medical condition, we spoke to medical experts.

What Exactly Is A Brain Aneurysm?

Dr. Pradyut Ranjan Bhuyan, Consultant Neurologist, Manipal Hospital Bhubaneshwar, explains, “A brain aneurysm is a weak spot in the wall of the brain artery, where it extends outwards much as if one were inflating a balloon. Most aneurysms are small and often go unnoticed throughout a person’s life. However, if an aneurysm ruptures, it can cause bleeding in the brain – a condition known as a subarachnoid haemorrhage, which can be life-threatening and requires immediate medical attention.”

How Is A Brain Aneurysm Revealed?

Bhuyan explains that a lot of brain aneurysms show no symptoms until they burst. But some aneurysms are large enough or leak enough to sound the alarm:

• Sudden, severe headache (often described as “the worst headache of my life”),
• Double or blurred vision,
• Eye pain or a stiff neck,
• Eyelid droop,
• Vomiting with nausea or loss of consciousness

An aneurysm that pops can strike unexpectedly, and when it does, it can lead to stroke, permanent brain damage or death.

What Is Arteriovenous Malformation (AVM)?

Dr Sheetal Goyal, Consultant Neurologist at Wockhardt Hospitals, Mumbai Central, says, “AVM is a web of tangled, irregular blood vessels that link arteries and veins in an abnormal manner that interferes with the normal flow of blood. Both (AVM and brain aneurysm) are severe and can go unnoticed for many years.”

What To Know About AVM and Brain Aneurysm?

AVMs are very uncommon, occurring in less than 1% of the population, while aneurysms in the brain are a bit more frequent, occurring in approximately 2–5% of individuals, usually by chance when other types of scans are performed. Goyal notes, “There are usually no warning signs. Yet, the symptoms can include headaches, blurred vision, seizures, dizziness, or weakness of the limbs. In bleeding cases, people can have a severe and sudden headache.”

The definitive causes are not yet known, but according to Goyal, “There are risk factors, like genetics, high blood pressure, trauma, and smoking, that can predispose individuals to the development of these diseases. While they cannot always be avoided, a healthy lifestyle, no smoking, and controlled blood pressure can minimise the risk.”

Dr. Aditya Kulkarni, Consultant – Neurology, Manipal Hospital Sarjapur Road, Bengaluru, notes that AVMs can affect young people too. He said, “AVMs are abnormal tangles of blood vessels in the brain that are typically present from birth. In many cases, they go unnoticed until a young person experiences a sudden brain bleed caused by the fragile vessel structure. When severe, this bleeding can result in significant neurological damage and, in rare instances, may be fatal. The outcome often depends on timely access to advanced medical care. Treatment typically involves minimally invasive, catheter-guided procedures aimed at closing off the abnormal blood vessels.”

Diagnosis And Treatment

AVMs and brain aneurysms are typically diagnosed via imaging tests like CT scans, MRI, or cerebral angiography. AVMs are often discovered incidentally during scans for unrelated issues, or when they cause symptoms like headaches, seizures, or brain bleeding. They can also require specialized interventions, depending on their size, location, symptoms, and risk of rupture.

Location :

Delhi, India, India

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