If you ever experience an extremely severe headache, it’s crucial to seek immediate medical attention, warns a prominent television doctor. This urgent advice highlights that a specific, rare form of headache might be a key indicator of a serious brain condition.

Dr. Amir Khan, well-known for his contributions to ITV’s popular shows like Lorraine and Good Morning Britain, underscored the importance of this health guidance. Taking swift action in response to what might be described as “the worst headache of your life” could potentially save lives by identifying a grave medical issue early on.

During an episode of his podcast, No Appointment Necessary, Dr. Khan elaborated: “A sudden brain bleed presents distinctly and is known as a thunderclap headache. It’s akin to being struck in the head with a cricket bat, an intensely painful experience.”

“If you ever encounter such a headache, it’s imperative to visit A&E immediately, call emergency services, or have someone drive you. This could signify a brain bleed, requiring urgent imaging and medical intervention,” he advised.

What is a thunderclap headache?

The Cleveland Clinic explains that thunderclap headaches can be classified as either ‘primary’ or ‘secondary’.

There are different types of headaches, categorized as primary and secondary. A primary headache refers to one that occurs repeatedly and isn’t linked to any other medical condition, illness, or injury.

These headaches make up more than 90% of all headache cases. They are usually not dangerous, but they can really affect a person’s ability to do things. Primary headaches can be caused by something as simple as “a cough, heavy exercise, exertion or sexual activity”, Dr Amir Khan says.

Secondary headaches are signs of a deeper problem—like an infection, an injury, or blood vessel issues—that leads to the pain. These are the headaches that could be “potentially life-threatening” without treatment.

Secondary headaches could be a sign of bleeding in the space around your brain, brain aneurysms, or a restriction in the vessels that supply blood to your brain. Some ‘thunderclap’ headaches require surgery to repair torn or ruptured blood vessels. If a thunderclap headache isn’t associated with an urgent underlying condition, patients may treat it with medication.

How to tell if my headache is a thunderclap or not

Typical headaches (such as tension or migraine) usually build up over time and can persist for some time after onset. In the case of a thunderclap, it should be almost instant to recognise the difference. Thunderclap headaches reach maximum intensity in less than one minute and are often described as the worst headache of a person’s life.

• Weakness or numbness
• Fever and stiff neck
• Confusion or altered mental state
• Vision changes (blurriness, loss of vision)
• Seizures
• Difficulty speaking or walking

Because they come on without warning, it’s difficult to prevent thunderclap headaches. Managing underlying health conditions and avoiding triggers are the best ways to prevent them.