Question: 

My mother was recently diagnosed with a brain aneurysm. We had a trip planned for next month. Is it safe for her to travel by air? 

Answered by neurosurgeon William Thorell, MD:

A brain aneurysm may be ruptured or unruptured, treated or untreated and cause symptoms or not. Understanding these factors is essential before making any travel decisions. 

If the aneurysm has ruptured 

A ruptured brain aneurysm is a medical emergency. The classic warning sign is a “thunderclap headache.” This sudden, extremely severe headache may come with nausea, vomiting or loss of consciousness. It requires immediate medical care, and delays in treatment are far more dangerous than flying. 

Once a patient with a ruptured aneurysm has been treated and is medically stable, travel can be discussed with their care team. Recovery from a ruptured aneurysm requires close follow-up. We typically recommend waiting to travel until recovery is well established and follow-up imaging and clinical evaluations are complete. 

If the aneurysm has not ruptured 

For patients with a small, stable, unruptured aneurysm that is not causing symptoms, flying is often considered safe. Commercial airplane cabins are pressurized to 8,000 feet, a level most people tolerate without difficulty and would have no impact on the aneurysm.  For reference, Denver sits at 5,280 feet above sea level.  

The real concern with flying 

When we talk about air travel after a brain aneurysm treatment, the issue is less about the flight itself and more about being away from the care team. After treatment – especially following a ruptured aneurysm – the brain is still healing. Complications can arise. Being far from the vascular neurosurgical team can make care more difficult if something changes. 

My general advice 

Before your mother makes any travel plans, she should contact her care team and ask whether it is appropriate for her to be away at this stage of her treatment. 

Every patient’s situation is different. The most important factors are medical stability, stage of recovery and access to appropriate medical care – not the flight itself. 

Nebraska Medicine offers the region’s leading  Joint Commission Certified Comprehensive Stroke Center. Patients with ruptured aneurysms receive care in Nebraska Medical Center’s dedicated Neuroscience Intensive Care Unit.