Hemorrhagic strokes cause severe and often life-threatening problems. They can be harder to treat than ischemic strokes.
Emergency treatment for hemorrhagic stroke focuses on controlling bleeding and reducing pressure in the brain. It may include surgery to repair blood vessel damage caused by an aneurysm, arteriovenous malformation (AVM), or other condition.
A hemorrhagic stroke is when a blood vessel inside the brain ruptures and bleeds. The resulting blood accumulates and puts pressure on the brain. Hemorrhagic strokes make up about 13% of all strokes. They are more common in older people, and they tend to be more severe than ischemic strokes. They are usually caused by a burst blood vessel (hemorrhagic arteriovenous malformation, or AVM). Typically, AVMs are caused by abnormal connections between arteries and veins in the brain. They may also be caused by a weakness in the walls of the blood vessels in the brain, known as an aneurysm. In other cases, the AVMs are caused by head trauma or blood clots from a heart valve infection, such as endocarditis.
Normally, arteries carry blood that’s rich in oxygen to the brain, and veins carry blood that’s less oxygen-rich back to the heart. If a weak spot in the blood vessels of the brain ruptures, the bleeding can cause pressure to build up inside the skull. This is called intracerebral hemorrhage or IH. Bleeding can also occur between the inner layer of the brain and its outer covering, known as the arachnoid membrane, which is called subarachnoid hemorrhage or SAH.
Signs of a hemorrhagic stroke include sudden loss of balance or coordination, changes in the eyes, one-sided facial weakness or drooping, and trouble swallowing. When a person shows these signs, it’s important to call 911 or your local emergency services number immediately. The faster a person gets to the hospital, the more likely they are to survive.
To diagnose a hemorrhagic stroke, doctors will give the patient a physical exam and do an imaging test. The most helpful test is a CT scan, which can show whether the brain has been affected by a hemorrhage or a clot. Doctors also might do a lumbar puncture, or spinal tap, to take a sample of cerebrospinal fluid for testing. If the patient has had a transient ischemic attack (TIA) — also called a “mini-stroke” — in the past, they are at a higher risk of having a hemorrhagic stroke in the future and need emergency treatment right away.
During a hemorrhagic stroke, blood vessels in the brain rupture and cause a build-up of pressure that damages surrounding brain tissue. Hemorrhagic strokes account for about 20% of all strokes. They usually result from a burst artery (a haemorrhage) or an aneurysm, which is a ballooning of a weakened section of an artery wall.
Often, the first sign of a hemorrhagic stroke is a severe headache. Other symptoms include weakness on one side of the body, loss of balance or coordination, vomiting, and changes in vision. If you have these symptoms, it is important to seek emergency medical care right away, because a hemorrhagic stroke can be life-threatening.
In addition to a physical exam, your doctor will ask about your past health, family history and risk factors for stroke. Your doctor may also recommend a CT scan, which is the fastest way to check for bleeding in or around the brain. An MRI is another test that can be done, but it is less widely available and cannot be used by people who have pacemakers or artificial valves in their heart.
Bleeding into the space between the brain and its outer covering (subarachnoid hemorrhage) or inside the skull (epidural hematoma or subdural hematoma) can also mimic symptoms of stroke. If you have one of these conditions, your doctor will give you pain relief and may prescribe medication to lower your blood pressure to reduce the pressure on your brain.
If you have a hemorrhagic stroke, your doctor will need to know how quickly your symptoms started. This information can help determine whether a blood-thinning drug called heparin or the drug rtPA — which is used to treat some types of ischemic strokes — will be helpful for you.
After a hemorrhagic stroke, you will likely need to spend several days to a week in the hospital. Our team will work to maximize your quality of life as you recover from the effects of the stroke and the impact on your mental, physical and emotional well-being. We will help you learn to cope with problems like depression and anxiety, which are common in people who have had a stroke.
Hemorrhagic stroke occurs when a blood vessel inside the brain bursts, spilling blood and creating pressure that compresses brain tissue. This type of stroke is less common than ischemic stroke, but it is more likely to cause permanent disability and death. If you have symptoms of a hemorrhagic stroke, seek immediate medical care. The faster you get treatment, the more likely your recovery will be successful.
Doctors diagnose hemorrhagic stroke by checking your symptoms and performing a physical exam. They may also order imaging tests, such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or computed tomography (CT) scans, to help identify the problem and determine the cause. These tests will give your doctor a picture of how your brain looks and works. They will also outline the affected area of your brain.
Your doctor will ask you about your past health and risk factors for stroke. They will give you a heart and neurological exam, including an FAST test. The acronym FAST stands for Face, Arms, Speech and Time. If you have trouble walking, notice if one side of your face droops or if you are having a hard time understanding speech, ask the person to repeat a simple phrase. If their speech is slurred or strange, call 911.
Hemorrhage can occur in a number of places in the brain, but the most common are intracerebral hemorrhages and subarachnoid hemorrhages. A ruptured aneurysm is another common cause of this type of stroke. Hemorrhage can also occur as a complication of Moya moya disease, a condition that causes the arteries at the base of the brain to become occluded and put strain on more fragile arteries.
Hemorrhagic stroke is a medical emergency, and the first step in treatment is lowering the buildup of pressure within the skull. A surgeon can often accomplish this by cutting the skull bone (with a small drilled hole called a burr hole) or by using medicine that prevents arteries from narrowing when they bleed. In addition, your doctor will prescribe medications to control high blood pressure and reduce brain swelling.
Treatment for a hemorrhagic stroke is focused on controlling bleeding and reducing pressure in the brain. The first step is immediate emergency medical care, which can prevent life-threatening complications and lessen the extent of brain damage.
Depending on the cause, doctors may repair the abnormal blood vessel or treat the underlying condition that caused the hemorrhage. They also may prescribe medication to control high blood pressure, reduce swelling and prevent seizures. They may use a procedure called mechanical thrombectomy, in which they insert a catheter (tube-like device) into a large blood vessel and guide it up to the clot inside the brain. Then they use a tool at the end of the catheter to break up and remove the clot.
Other treatments may include interventional radiology or neurosurgical procedures, such as surgical clipping or coil embolization, to stop the bleeding or reduce blood flow. These are often used in cases of aneurysms and arteriovenous malformations. They may also be used in people who are at risk for a hemorrhagic brain haemorrhage because of other conditions, such as cerebral amyloid angiopathy or chronic hypertension.
Hemorrhagic strokes can be very serious and can lead to severe disability. But with prompt medical care, most people survive them and make good progress in rehabilitation to regain function and improve their quality of life.
A lot of the recovery time depends on the severity of the symptoms. Many people who have had a small stroke will go home within weeks, while those who have had larger ones and more extensive damage will need long-term care and rehabilitation.
People who have had a hemorrhagic stroke can develop many types of emotional problems, including depression and feelings of frustration or hopelessness. They may also have trouble understanding what others say and have difficulty caring for themselves. To help manage these issues, they should talk to their doctor and try to find support groups with other people who have had a stroke. This can help them share experiences and learn new coping strategies. They should also take steps to lower their risk of another stroke by managing health conditions, taking medications and following healthy lifestyle guidelines.
Different areas of the brain control different abilities, so stroke symptoms depend on what part of the brain is affected. Common ones include:
Symptoms are sudden and serious. If you notice them, call 9-1-1. Medications can lower blood pressure and ease the risk of bleeding. Doctors also may prescribe medication to help prevent seizures.
People who have had a hemorrhagic stroke often experience severe headaches that can be difficult to manage. Symptoms may be relieved by avoiding triggers, taking pain medications and focusing on coping strategies. A therapist can help you develop healthy coping mechanisms and teach you relaxation and stress reduction techniques.
The type of headache a person has after a hemorrhagic stroke depends on the location and extent of the brain damage. In general, hemorrhagic strokes result from blood vessels that rupture or burst. They can also occur when an artery that supplies blood to the brain ruptures, or from a brain aneurysm.
Hemorrhagic strokes can occur in children, but are more common in adults. They are more likely to affect young women and people with high blood pressure.
The pain associated with a Hemorrhagic Stroke is usually worse than that of an ischemic stroke, and may last longer. The pain can be severe and disorienting, and it is not uncommon to have a throbbing sensation as well. In some cases, the onset of the headache is sudden and accompanied by neck stiffness or elevated blood pressure.
An MRI can provide a clearer picture of the structure of the head and neck and may reveal if there are any areas of bleeding in the brain. It can also show whether a person has an arteriovenous malformation (AVM), which is a condition that occurs when arteries and veins connect abnormally without capillaries between them.
The emergency treatment for a hemorrhagic stroke focuses on controlling bleeding and reducing pressure in the brain. This may include repairing the damaged blood vessels or sealing an aneurysm. It may also involve a surgical procedure called a craniotomy, which involves opening a section of the skull to reduce pressure on the brain. A doctor can also administer the sugar mannitol, which helps to lower pressure in the skull.
A person who experiences a Hemorrhagic Stroke may need to be hospitalized for medical monitoring. During this time, doctors will monitor the individual for signs of a second stroke or complications such as seizures, high blood pressure and a lack of consciousness.
When blood vessels in your brain burst or bleed, areas of your brain may be deprived of oxygen and nutrients. This can damage brain tissue and cause symptoms like dizziness. The condition is called Hemorrhagic Stroke and it can be life-threatening. Hemorrhagic stroke can be caused by a ruptured aneurysm, abnormal tangles of blood vessels in the brain (arteriovenous malformation, or AVM) and a condition that causes your arteries to weaken over time, such as high blood pressure.
Hemorrhagic stroke can also be caused by an infection or by taking certain medications, such as birth control pills or steroids. Your risk of hemorrhagic stroke increases with age. Your risk also increases if you have a family history of the disease. Other risk factors include being overweight, smoking and high blood cholesterol. Race or ethnicity and sex can also impact your stroke risk.
The first sign of a hemorrhagic stroke is usually a sudden severe headache, often described as a thunderclap. It’s a medical emergency and you should call 911 right away.
In some cases, a person experiencing a hemorrhagic stroke can experience paralysis of one side of the face or body. This can make it difficult to eat, speak or move. The doctor can diagnose the type of stroke by doing imaging tests, such as a CT scan or an MRI. Emergency treatment focuses on stopping the bleeding and relieving any pressure.
The longer a stroke goes untreated, the greater the chance of permanent brain damage or disability. That’s why it is important to recognize the early signs of a stroke. Learn the FAST acronym to remember the key symptoms: F – FACE: Ask the person to smile and see if one side of the mouth is drooping or if they can raise their arms. Ask them to repeat a simple phrase, such as “What is your name?” If their reply is slurred or unusual, it’s time to call 9-1-1. You can also use the FAST test on yourself or someone you know who’s having a stroke. Remember, every minute counts. The sooner you get help, the better your chances for a full recovery.
The loss of consciousness is a serious symptom that may occur due to bleeding in the brain. If you experience this, call 911 immediately and seek emergency care. The longer you wait, the greater the risk of long-term complications and disability.
Hemorrhagic strokes happen when a blood vessel ruptures, disrupting blood flow in the brain. This can cause brain tissue to die, and it can also affect the function of the part of the brain that’s affected.
About 13 percent of strokes are hemorrhagic strokes. These can be caused by either an intracerebral hemorrhage or a subarachnoid hemorrhage. Both of these types of strokes can be fatal if left untreated.
A hemorrhagic stroke can be very sudden. In some cases, you’ll experience a headache so intense that it feels like a thunderclap. It may be accompanied by nausea and vomiting. You might also lose your balance or feel dizzy. You might also have trouble understanding what people are saying. This is because the affected area of the brain controls speech and language.
If you suspect that someone is having a hemorrhagic stroke, the FAST test can help determine whether they need immediate medical attention. Look for the following:
Face: Does one side of their mouth droop when they smile? Arms: Ask them to raise both arms. Does one drift downward? Speech: Have them repeat a simple phrase. Is their speech slurred or strange? Time: If they display any of these symptoms, call 911 immediately. With hemorrhagic stroke, every minute counts.
Hemorrhagic stroke is treated with medications to control high blood pressure and reduce brain swelling, as well as surgery to repair or seal the blood vessels in the brain or the aneurysm. You’ll usually spend several days to a week in the hospital, depending on the severity of your condition. After you’re released, you’ll receive physical therapy and speech therapy to help you regain your skills. In addition, we provide psychological support to prevent depression and anxiety that’s common in survivors of hemorrhagic stroke. You can learn more about how to manage your recovery in our Health Library.
Hemorrhagic stroke is a medical emergency and time is critical in receiving the right treatment. Some of the early warning signs are loss of balance, changes in vision and issues with one side of the body. When these symptoms occur, it is important to contact 911 immediately. It is also important to provide as much information as possible regarding the symptoms and when they began. This will help the hospital staff start to get the person ready for surgery and minimize any treatment delay.
In a hemorrhagic stroke, bleeding is usually caused by a burst blood vessel in the brain. This can happen when a vein (intracerebral hemorrhage) or an artery (subarachnoid hemorrhage). Hemorrhagic strokes account for 13% of all strokes and tend to have more severe symptoms than ischemic strokes because the blood that bleeds puts pressure on the brain.
After a Hemorrhagic Stroke, you may experience a type of vision problem called visual neglect. This occurs when one side of the brain is damaged and you are unaware of objects on that side, or when you bump into things because you are not seeing them. People who experience visual neglect often have trouble with their physical eye movement, including nystagmus, which is the rapid and unsteady movement of the eyes.
Other common vision problems are blurry or double vision, light sensitivity, or difficulty with dark or bright lighting. Many of these symptoms can be treated with medications and other strategies to improve vision.
To diagnose a Hemorrhagic Stroke, doctors will perform an exam and take blood to determine the type of stroke and whether you have any other risk factors. They will also ask you about your family history of stroke and other health conditions. They will use imaging tests to check for the stroke and see where the bleeding is located, such as a CT scan or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). If a subarachnoid hemorrhage is suspected, they may perform a lumbar puncture, also known as a spinal tap. This involves inserting a needle into the spine to extract a sample of cerebrospinal fluid, which is tested for signs of a brain hemorrhage.
Hemorrhagic stroke treatment focuses on controlling bleeding and reducing pressure in the brain caused by excess fluid. Emergency treatment may include a lumbar puncture (spinal tap), in which a sample of cerebrospinal fluid is removed from the spinal cord through a needle.
Your healthcare providers will give you clot-busting drugs, medicine to control high blood pressure and surgery to open blocked arteries. Most people who have a hemorrhagic stroke need rehabilitation therapy.
A hemorrhagic stroke occurs when a blood vessel in the brain ruptures or breaks, spilling blood into the surrounding tissue. Hemorrhagic strokes are less common than ischemic strokes, but they can be more serious because the bleeding can cause brain swelling and pressure that can damage brain cells. Hemorrhagic strokes can be caused by high blood pressure, a brain tumor, an aneurysm or a genetic condition called arteriovenous malformation (AVM).
In the emergency room, doctors will use diagnostic tests to check for bleeding in the brain. A CT scan can show where the bleed is located, whether there is brain swelling and the size of the clot. A computed tomography angiogram can also help doctors locate blood vessels and look for an aneurysm or other abnormality. The doctor may prescribe medications to reduce your risk of having another stroke. These medications may include aspirin and other anticlotting drugs, blood thinners and drugs to control your blood pressure.
Thrombolytic drugs can be used to dissolve clots in the blood vessels in the brain. These are only an option within the first three to four-and-a-half hours after stroke symptoms start. They need to be given within this window because if they are used too long, they can cause more dangerous bleeding complications.
The most effective way to prevent a second stroke is to avoid unhealthy lifestyle behaviors that raise your risk. You should quit smoking and vaping, avoid recreational drug or prescription medication misuse, eat a healthy diet and exercise regularly. You should also take care of your mental health by getting treatment for depression or anxiety, which can make it harder to recover from a stroke.
The sooner someone suffering from a Hemorrhagic Stroke gets medical care, the better their chances of survival and a full recovery. The first signs of a stroke are loss of balance (difficulty walking or a noticeable change in how you walk), changes in vision, problems with one side of the face and slurred speech. If you see these symptoms, call 911 or your local emergency number immediately.
Immediate treatment for hemorrhagic stroke focuses on controlling the bleeding and reducing pressure in the brain. It may include medicines to prevent clots from forming, reduce blood pressure, prevent seizures and manage pain.
Doctors will ask about your medical history, do a physical exam and order imaging tests to find out what caused the stroke (ischemic or hemorrhagic) and how severe it is. They will also perform a lumbar puncture (spinal tap) to check for bleeding in the brain.
Your brain is protected by a membrane called the arachnoid membrane, and any blood vessels that pass through it can break and cause bleeding into this space, or subarachnoid hemorrhage. When this occurs, it puts pressure on the brain from outside, causing symptoms like dizziness and headaches.
Symptoms of a hemorrhagic stroke can vary depending on where the bleeding is, its size and what caused it. Often, doctors will prescribe medicine to stop the bleeding, such as the clot-busting drug tissue plasminogen activator (tPA). In some cases, they may use surgery to clip or remove the bleed or a procedure called coil embolization to block blood flow to the area of the stroke and prevent more blood clots from forming. They may also give you medicine to control high blood pressure, prevent future strokes and help you recover from any long-term disabilities caused by the stroke.
If you’re a stroke survivor who struggles with speech and swallowing, individualized therapies can help activate your brain’s natural neuroplasticity. Working with a Flint Rehab stroke specialist can help you recover faster and improve your quality of life.
A hemorrhagic stroke occurs when a blood vessel in your brain ruptures and bleeds, disrupting normal circulation and preventing the brain cells it’s supposed to support from getting the oxygen and nutrients they need to survive and function. Hemorrhagic strokes are medical emergencies that require immediate attention and can be fatal without quick treatment.
Stroke survivors often experience a variety of impairments that can impact their quality of life, including paralysis or loss of movement on one side of the body; memory issues; difficulty thinking clearly; and emotional changes. Speech therapy can help to address a variety of these impairments by rewiring the brain to allow healthy areas to take over the impaired functions.
Depending on the area of the brain affected, speech therapy may include oral motor speech therapy (working on the muscles in your mouth and throat that help you speak), articulation therapy (reaching out for each sound and word to make them clearer), and VitalStim therapy (using electrical stimulation around the neck). A combination of these methods can be particularly effective in helping you regain your ability to produce sounds and words, especially if you’ve had aphasia.
All stroke patients should be screened for communication disorders, ideally by a certified Speech Language Pathologist using a valid screening tool. All health care providers should be aware of the impact of aphasia and how to work with patients to improve their communication abilities.
A hemorrhagic stroke occurs when an artery in the brain leaks or ruptures (breaks open). Hemorrhage puts too much pressure on the brain and damages brain cells. This type of stroke can be caused by high blood pressure or an aneurysm (balloon-like bulge in an artery that may stretch and burst). Hemorrhagic stroke treatment includes surgery to repair the damaged blood vessels and reduce the buildup of pressure in the brain.
Rehabilitation starts in the hospital, typically within a day or two after a stroke. Hospital social workers can help you and your family decide where you will get the best rehabilitation. They can consider your needs, what insurance will cover, and what is close to home.
You will probably work with physical and occupational therapists. These therapists can teach you new ways to do everyday tasks, like moving around and using the bathroom. They can also recommend special equipment, such as a brace or wheelchair, to help you feel more comfortable and safe.
Research has shown that OT improves the ability to perform daily activities and reduces how long you spend in the hospital. The therapists can also work with other members of your health care team, such as doctors and nurses.
You will need to take medicine and follow healthy lifestyle behaviors to prevent another stroke. You might also benefit from joining a patient support group. Talk to your doctor or the hospital social worker about local groups. Support groups can help you and your loved ones deal with depression or other mental health problems that can sometimes occur after a stroke. They can also give you tips on how to take good care of yourself at home.
