HBA Support, the UK’s only charity dedicated to supporting people impacted by brain aneurysms and families with increased risk, has launched a brand new podcast called “Brain Aneurysms and Beyond”, that brings the issue of brain aneurysms into the public spotlight. Hosted by Rebecca Middleton, the charities founder and a brain aneurysm patient herself, with guests from across the brain aneurysm world, the series will explore the patient stories, the exciting research and science, and the systems in place to treat and support people.

Episodes will feature interviews with top neurosurgeons, nurses, genetic counsellors, researchers, families and patients with conversations opening up vital questions around diagnosis, treatment, heredity, innovation and emotional resilience.

The first episode is out now, and asks “How do you live well with a brain aneurysm?” with practical tips on navigating everyday life with an aneurysm, from driving and flying to managing stress and risk with small, consistent lifestyle changes.

Rebecca is joined by two expert guests – Catherine Lamb, a specialist neuroscience nurse from the John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, who has supported many aneurysm patients, and Fiona Moss, founder and Director of the Natalie Kate Moss Trust, a charity raising awareness of brain haemorrhage prevention and the importance of blood pressure management to reduce the risks.  

The podcast champions a “facts, not fear” approach, sharing balanced information to empower and inform, with new episodes planned to explore the world-leading ROAR DNA project with Professor Bulters, as well as an episode looking at living with the anxiety of an unruptured aneurysm with psychotherapist and Clinical Director of Rareminds, Kym Winters.

Rebecca explains “Although hereditary brain aneurysms are rare, brain aneurysms affect 1 in 30 people. That’s approximately two million people in the UK are living with an unruptured aneurysm – yet awareness is shockingly low. They often go undetected until it’s too late, and in many cases, they run in families, impacting generation after generation.

“Right now, some patients are falling through the cracks with gaps identified in care and screening pathways. People affected by brain aneurysms are often left to navigate it all in silence. This podcast is here to change that. To start conversations. To create a community. Empower patients. And to save lives. We’re excited to extend an invitation to anyone who would like to explore research and treatment development and share their stories about brain aneurysm to get in touch by emailing support@hbasupport.org”

New Patient Guide

We’ve heard that people feel lost and alone at the start of their screening and diagnosis journey, so we’ve built a guide from the voices of people who’ve been there. Through heartfelt conversations and thoughtful surveys, we asked, “What do you wish you’d known from day one?” And then we listened.​

With those insights, we partnered with leading experts – interventional neuroradiologists, neurosurgeons, specialist neuro nurses, genetic counsellors, and health communicators—to ensure every page is accurate, clear, and truly helpful. It’s taken over 18 months of dedication, collaboration, and care.​

This guide is for patients, by patients—with the wisdom of medical professionals and the compassion of lived experience. It’s here to replace fear with facts, and isolation with support.​

Thank you to our steering group and to the many patients and health care professionals who supported the guide and provided expert lived experience and medical feedback. We are grateful for your help.​

Many thanks to Medtronic for their support.

About HBA Support

HBA Support is the UK’s leading charity for people affected by brain aneurysms. Through advocacy, peer support, and close collaboration with the NHS and research partners, the organisation works to raise awareness, improve care pathways, and champion advances in diagnosis, treatment, and prevention.

Sign up for our newsletter to stay up to date on all of our support, news and events. Please support us further by following us on Facebook, Instagram or LinkedIn 

---