Salman Khan Reveals He’s Living with Brain Aneurysm, AV Malformation, & Trigeminal Neuralgia

The actor opened up about his serious health conditions during a chat on The Great Indian Kapil Show
Actor Salman Khan
Salman Khan opened up about his health on The Great Indian Kapil Show.Wikimedia commons - Bollywood Hungama
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In a shocking revelation, everyone’s Bhaijaan, Salman Khan, said that he is suffering from three serious medical conditions: AV malformation, brain aneurysm, and trigeminal neuralgia.

The 59-year-old actor shared this during a conversation with host Kapil Sharma, when he appeared as the first guest on the new season of The Great Indian Kapil Show on June 21.

Despite these diagnoses, he said he continues doing stunts, filming, and working through them.

But what exactly are these three conditions? Let’s break them down one by one.

Brain Aneurysm

A brain aneurysm happens when a weak spot in a blood vessel in the brain starts to bulge or balloon outward, usually due to pressure from blood flow over time. You can think of it like a balloon being inflated—as more air goes in, the wall stretches and thins. The same can happen to blood vessels.

Most people don’t know they have a brain aneurysm because it usually doesn’t cause any symptoms. Around 1–2% of the population may have one and live with it without ever knowing.

Diagram of the brain highlighting the blood vessels and bulge representing an aneurysm.
A brain aneurysm is a bulge or ballooning in a blood vessel in the brain.(Representational Image: Wikimedia Commons)

Symptoms typically begin only if the aneurysm ruptures—that is, when the bulging area bursts. This leads to bleeding in the brain, called a haemorrhagic stroke, and is a serious medical emergency.

The most common sign of a ruptured brain aneurysm is a sudden, extremely severe headache often described as the “worst headache of one’s life.”

Only a small number of aneurysms ever rupture, but when they do, they need urgent medical attention. [1]

AV Malformation

An arteriovenous malformation, or AVM, is a condition where blood vessels in the brain become tangled.

Normally, arteries carry oxygen-rich blood from the heart to the brain, and veins carry oxygen-depleted blood back to the heart. However, in AVM, the arteries and veins are abnormally connected, like tangled wires, which disrupts this normal flow.

Illustration comparing normal blood vessels with an arteriovenous malformation, highlighting structural differences.
AV malformation affects the blood vessels and normal blood flow in the brain.(Representational Image: Wikimedia Commons)

Symptoms may include headaches, seizures, or pain in a specific area of the brain. In more serious cases, AVMs can cause weakness, numbness, or even paralysis. [2]

Trigeminal Neuralgia

Trigeminal neuralgia is a chronic condition that causes sudden, severe facial pain, often compared to an electric shock. It affects the trigeminal nerve, which sends sensations from the face to the brain.

Even simple actions like brushing teeth, washing the face, or putting on makeup can trigger intense pain. The condition often starts with mild episodes and worsens over time.

A girl with her palm placed on her cheek and having intense pain due to Trigeminal Neuralgia.
Trigeminal neuralgia can cause intense facial pain even from a light touch.(Representational Image: Freepik)

Because of how unbearable the pain can be, it’s sometimes called the “suicide disease.” [3]

Living with These Conditions

In the same interview, Salman Khan also spoke about injuring himself—including breaking ribs—while continuing to perform stunts despite these serious conditions. He said he believes in pushing himself and doesn’t like slowing down.

I'm out here breaking my bones every day—ribs are fractured, I'm working despite having trigeminal neuralgia, there's an aneurysm in the brain, yet I'm still working. There’s also an AV malformation, and still, I'm carrying on.

Salman Khan

Fans have responded with both concern and admiration, knowing these aren’t minor health issues.

Why It Matters

Salman Khan opening up about his health brings attention to neurological conditions that many people don’t know much about. Disorders like AVM and trigeminal neuralgia are often underdiagnosed or misunderstood.

His story may help others feel less alone and possibly seek medical help earlier.

References:

  1. Mayo Clinic Staff. “Brain Aneurysm.” Mayo Clinic. Published April 26, 2025. Accessed June 23, 2025. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/brain-aneurysm/symptoms-causes/syc-20361483

  2. Mayo Clinic Staff. “Brain AVM (arteriovenous malformation).” Mayo Clinic. Published April 06, 2024. Accessed June 23, 2025. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/brain-avm/symptoms-causes/syc-20350260

  3. Mayo Clinic Staff. “Trigeminal Neuralgia.” Mayo Clinic. Published December 28, 2023. Accessed June 23, 2025. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/trigeminal-neuralgia/symptoms-causes/syc-20353344

(Input From Various Sources)

(Rehash/Pooja Bansal/MSM)

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