Kim Kardashian‘s latest health revelation on The Kardashians has triggered widespread concern after a brain scan reportedly uncovered ‘low brain activity’ in her frontal lobes and a small, previously unnoticed brain aneurysm.
The episode, filmed in late 2025, featured psychiatrist Dr Daniel Amen, who pointed out ‘holes’ in Kardashian’s scan—an interpretation that drew immediate public attention.
Although medical experts stress that many aneurysms remain symptom-free for years, her disclosure has sparked a meaningful conversation about the subtle signs people often dismiss.
Why Kardashian’s Scan Raised Red Flags
During the episode, the celebrity psychiatrist Dr Daniel Amen pointed out what he described as ‘holes’ in the scan, signalling reduced activity, particularly in the frontal lobes. He cautioned that this could make stress management much more complicated at a time when Kardashian is juggling high-pressure commitments: studying for the California bar exam, public appearances, and high-stakes personal matters.
Kardashian responded with shock: ‘That just can’t be … not accepting.’ She later said she intended to get ‘on a plan’ to address her health.
While the show framed this as a potentially alarming health development, doctors and brain-health specialists emphasise that many aneurysms, especially small ones, can remain symptom-free for years, sometimes never rupture, and need only monitoring rather than emergency treatment.
Nevertheless, it is crucial to be aware of what symptoms can occur, even if subtle, because early detection can be life-saving.
Seven Silent Aneurysm Symptoms You Shouldn’t Ignore
According to leading medical sources, including the UK’s National Health Service (NHS) and the Mayo Clinic, many unruptured brain aneurysms cause no symptoms at all. But when they do, the following signs may appear, often intermittently or subtly:
- Unusual or recurring headaches
A pain above or around the eye, or a headache that feels different from your usual pattern, sometimes persistent but mild, can be an early warning. - Vision disturbances
Changes in vision, such as blurred or double vision, or a dilated pupil in one eye, may signal pressure from an aneurysm pressing on nerves. - Pain around the eye or behind/above one eye
Persistent discomfort in or around the eye region or behind the eye socket, especially if it differs from typical migraines, merits attention. - Numbness, weakness or facial changes
Numbness or weakness on one side of the face; drooping eyelid or other facial asymmetry; trouble with facial muscles, including difficulty smiling, should not be ignored. - Difficulty speaking or concentration/memory problems
Subtle changes in cognitive functions: difficulty concentrating, short-term memory lapses, or problems recalling words, could signal pressure on brain tissue. - Balance, coordination or dizziness issues
Unexplained episodes of dizziness, unsteady gait, or problems with coordination and balance may indicate neurological disturbance. - General fatigue or unexplained sleepiness paired with other symptoms
While common and nonspecific, unexplained tiredness coupled with any of the above signs, especially if persistent or worsening, may deserve medical scrutiny.
Because small aneurysms often cause no symptoms, they are frequently discovered only by accident—for example, during scans carried out for unrelated reasons.
What To Do If You Notice These Symptoms
Doctors advise seeking medical evaluation if symptoms are persistent, unusual or worsening. Many unruptured aneurysms require only regular monitoring, scans and lifestyle adjustments.
Immediate emergency attention is required if someone experiences:
- a sudden, severe headache (“the worst headache of your life”)
- seizures
- loss of consciousness
- slurred speech
- weakness on one side of the body
These may signal a ruptured aneurysm, a life-threatening emergency.
What Kardashian’s Case Highlights — For The Public
Kardashian’s disclosure, widely discussed across media, may be sensational, but it also serves as an important reminder: brain aneurysms are often silent, and symptoms can be subtle or easily mistaken for stress, fatigue, or minor migraines. Her case shines a spotlight on the need for awareness and caution.
For a public figure balancing high-profile commitments, academic stress, and personal challenges, the fact that her brain scan reportedly showed ‘low activity’ has triggered renewed conversations about mental health, stress management, and neurological wellbeing.
But experts caution: while lifestyle changes, stress reduction, and regular monitoring can help, scans alone do not guarantee safety. Without clinical follow-up, diagnosis remains tentative, especially given the variability of brain imaging techniques and the often benign nature of many aneurysms.
Knowledge is power. Recognising the subtle warning signs of an unruptured aneurysm, rather than waiting for a medical crisis, can make all the difference. Kim Kardashian’s high-profile scan may have drawn headlines, but the deeper value lies in raising awareness.
If you or someone you know experiences recurrent headaches, vision problems, facial changes, memory issues or other neurological symptoms, it’s worth seeking medical advice sooner rather than later. Better safe than sorry.