When a brain aneurysm ruptures without warning, the impact is immediate and life-changing. In this episode of Brain Aneurysms & Beyond, host Rebecca Middleton is joined by Lord-Lieutenant of Leicestershire Mike Kapur OBE to discuss his experience of surviving a sudden rupture and bleed and rebuilding his life afterwards. Rebecca is the founder of Hereditary Brain Aneurysm Support, and is herself a brain aneurysm patient.

Mike describes the early morning when intense pain struck, and he was rushed to hospital. He talks through his transfer for specialist neurosurgery, the relief of a successful first operation, and the shock of needing a second procedure soon after. That setback left him shaken and uncertain about what recovery would look like.

Once home, the challenges continued. Fatigue shaped his days. Confidence dipped. Tasks that once felt effortless required patience. Mike reflects on the loneliness that can follow discharge, even when family are close by, and how informal rehabilitation support helped him understand his limits.

Over time, he began to rebuild steadily. Sleep became a priority. Exercise turned into a discipline rather than an afterthought. He explains how he moved from fear of recurrence toward a more balanced outlook, accepting vulnerability while refusing to be defined by it.

Ten months after his first operation, Mike returned to full duties. He speaks about how his perspective has changed since the rupture and why he now focuses on what is in front of him rather than looking too far ahead. He also reflects on the strength he drew from his family during the hardest moments. His account is honest and rooted in lived experience.

Highlights:

[00:00] Intro from Rebecca Middleton

[01:09] Mike Kapur describes life before this aneurysm

[02:16] How looking after the body also helps the head

[03:34] The day of Mike's brain aneurysm

[05:25] The difficulty of a second operation

[07:35] Tricky transition from hospital to home

[11:23] Rebecca asks about "old Mike" v "new Mike"

[12:44] Why you shouldn't see an aneurysm as "your fault"

[17:00] Mike's learnings

[19:15] Mike's advice for those in a similar situation

[24:09] Outro from Rebecca, including helpful links

Featuring: Mike Kapur OBE

Rebecca Middleton, founder of Hereditary Brain Aneurysm Support

Resources: HBA Support https://hbasupport.org

This podcast is also available to watch as a captioned video at https://youtube.com/@hbasupport

Podcast production and editing by Rob Birnie at Made by DBM https://madebydbm.com/podcasts

In this episode of In Their Words, a special mini series from the Brain Aneurysms & Beyond podcast, Maria shares her personal experience of surviving a subarachnoid haemorrhage after a brain aneurysm rupture, and finding her way through recovery.

Maria talks to host Rebecca Middleton from Hereditary Brain Aneurysm Support about the moment everything changed, from collapsing at home to waking up in intensive care with no memory of what had happened. She describes the physical and emotional challenges that followed, including time in rehabilitation and relearning how to walk. Her story is honest and grounded, shaped by determination rather than drama.

The conversation also explores the impact on Maria’s family and how their support helped her through the most difficult stages. Maria reflects on living with anxiety and PTSD, what it took to regain confidence, and how she learned to focus on progress rather than fear. She explains why she chose to keep her brain active and stay engaged with everyday life.

Maria also speaks openly about inherited risk, as brain aneurysms run in her family. Her perspective highlights why awareness and early action can make a real difference. This episode offers reassurance to anyone recovering from a brain aneurysm, adjusting to life after hospital, or supporting someone close to them. Maria’s story is practical and full of quiet encouragement.

Episode highlights:

[00:00] Intro from host Rebecca Middleton

[00:57] Guest Maria shares when her brain aneurysm happened

[01:42] Rebecca asks Maria what she remembers about her treatment

[02:49] Maria's determination to walk again

[04:31] What Maria found most challenging during recovery

[05:06] Rebecca asks Maria how her family supported her

[07:00] Maria talks about PTSD

[08:18] Maria explains how aneurysms run in her family

[13:05] Advice for people recovering from brain aneurysms

[15:14] Outro from Rebecca and helpful links

Featuring:

Maria (guest) Rebecca Middleton (host, and founder of Hereditary Brain Aneurysm Support)

Resources:

HBA Support https://hbasupport.org

This podcast is also available as a captioned video at https://youtu.be/x5hn6Yln8xg

Podcast production and editing by Rob Birnie at Made by DBM https://madebydbm.com/podcasts

In this episode of Brain Aneurysms & Beyond, we explore the ground-breaking ROAR (Risk of Aneurysm Rupture) DNA genetic study; research that could reshape how family risk is understood in the years ahead. Guest host Vivienne Parry brings together neurosurgeons Professor Diederik Bulters and Ben Gaastra, along with Rebecca Middleton, founder of Hereditary Brain Aneurysm Support and patient partner on the study, to unpack what this work might mean for the future of care.

This conversation balances science with humanity, explaining how a simple blood sample could one day help us understand who in a family is at risk of having a hereditary brain aneurysm, and who may not need ongoing scans. They discuss what researchers hope to learn, and how the study works in practice, including how you can get involved.

You’ll hear how this research could help make NHS screening more targeted and support better decision-making for families navigating inherited risk. Rebecca also shares her personal reasons for joining the research team as a patient partner, offering warmth, honesty and hope for future generations.

Whether you’re living with a brain aneurysm, supporting a family member, or simply wanting to understand how genetics might shape future care, this episode offers clarity, compassion, and a forward-looking glimpse at what’s possible.

Episode Highlights:

[00:00] Introduction from Rebecca Middleton

[00:50] Guests Diederik Bulters and Ben Gaastra intro themselves

[01:42] Guest host Vivienne Parry intros herself

[02:17] Prof. Bulters highlights the three big problems the study aims to solve

[06:25] Rebecca Middleton on how the study could eventually mean the end of scans

[08:18] Ben Gaastra explains ROAR-DNA and why it's a landmark study

[10:53] How can people get involved with the study?

[13:40] Prof. Bulters discusses the timeline for change

[18:40] Rebecca shares how aneurysms have affected her family

[21:23] Prof Bulters explains how the study could save the NHS money

[23:51] Will the study keep participants' data safe?

[25:51] What does being a patient partner mean for HBA Support?

[27:25] Outro from Rebecca and helpful links

Featuring:

Vivienne Parry – Science writer, broadcaster and guest host

Rebecca Middleton – Founder of Hereditary Brain Aneurysm Support and ROAR-DNA patient partner

Professor Diederik Bulters – Chief Investigator of the ROAR Study. Consultant neurosurgeon and professor of neurosurgery

Ben Gaastra – Clinical lecturer in neurosurgery and ROAR / ROAR-DNA investigator

Resources:

HBA Support (Hereditary Brain Aneurysm Support) – https://hbasupport.org

ROAR and ROAR-DNA study - https://roarstudy.co.uk/

Captioned video version of this episode – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9NG45g5U_ig

Podcast production & editing by Rob Birnie at Made by DBM – https://madebydbm.com/podcasts