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

Episode ID: 1000753187931

GUID: hbasupport.podbean.com/7fc951d3-32b2-36ef-b7ab-f1af8024a649

Release Date: 05/03/2026, 09:00:00