Felix Mendelssohn's most plausible cause of death was an aneurysmal subarachnoid haemorrhage.
Understanding the Cause of Death
An aneurysmal subarachnoid haemorrhage represents a severe and often fatal type of stroke. This medical emergency occurs when a weakened, bulging blood vessel in the brain, known as an aneurysm, ruptures. The bleeding then spills into the subarachnoid space, which is the delicate area between the brain and its protective outer membranes. This sudden influx of blood can rapidly increase pressure on the brain, leading to significant damage and disrupting normal brain function.
Familial Predisposition and Contributing Factors
The medical understanding of Mendelssohn's death is deepened by the context of his family's health history. Research suggests a hereditary component to his condition, as similar cerebrovascular events—conditions affecting the blood vessels in the brain—were observed in other close family members. Most notably, his highly talented sister, Fanny Hensel, experienced a comparable fatal event. This familial pattern suggests a genetic predisposition to such vascular vulnerabilities, which likely played a significant role in Mendelssohn's own fatal haemorrhage.
Mendelssohn's declining health in the period leading up to his death, marked by symptoms like severe headaches and a general deterioration following significant personal losses, aligns with the clinical progression that can precede an aneurysmal subarachnoid haemorrhage.
