29th April 2024

A 55-year-old woman, with a history of hypertension, suddenly develops a severe headache while exercising.

A 55-year-old woman, with a history of hypertension, suddenly develops a severe headache while exercising. She describes it as the worst headache of her life, starting abruptly like a ‘thunderclap’. On arrival at the hospital, she is alert but complains of neck pain and photophobia. Neurological examination is unremarkable, except for nuchal rigidity. 

Which is the most likely diagnosis?