Hemorrhagic Strokes
Type of brain injury caused by a ruptured blood vessel
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Medically reviewed by Brigid Dwyer, MD
Most strokes occur when a blood clot forms in an artery that supplies the brain, a condition commonly referred to as an ischemic stroke. However, in around 13% of cases, a stroke is caused when a blood vessel suddenly bursts in the brain. Without the oxygen carried by blood, brain cells can quickly die, leading to permanent brain damage. This type of stroke is referred to as a hemorrhagic stroke, which is accompanied by intracerebral hemorrhage.
This article discusses the symptoms, causes, and treatment of hemorrhagic stroke.
Symptoms of a Hemorrhagic Stroke
When an intracerebral hemorrhage occurs, it not only deprives the brain of oxygen, it can cause severe swelling and compression of the brain itself. Symptoms can vary but typically include:
Sudden and severe headache
Dizziness and loss of balance
Weakness in the face, leg, or arm on one side of the body
Nausea
Vomiting
Confusion or disorientation
Problems with speech or swallowing
Seizures
Intracerebral hemorrhage is a devastating event with a 30-day mortality rate of around 40%, according to the journal Lancet Neurology.
Causes of Hemorrhagic Stroke
While an intracranial hemorrhage may occur as a result of a head injury (such as might occur in a car accident), the most common cause of hemorrhagic stroke is high blood pressure.
One such condition is known as an aneurysm which occurs when a section of an artery becomes abnormally enlarged. When this happens, the walls of the artery may begin to balloon and eventually rupture. Aneurysms may be congenital (meaning that they were there from the time of birth) or be caused by chronic hypertension (high blood pressure).
Cerebral amyloid angiopathy is another potential cause of a hemorrhagic stroke. This is a type of cerebrovascular disorder characterized by the accumulation of amyloid beta-peptide within the small to medium-sized cerebral blood vessels.
Another less common cause is a congenital disorder known as an arteriovenous malformation (AVM). AVM is characterized by the absence of capillaries between arteries and veins. Instead of connecting through this branching network of tiny vessels, certain arteries and veins will connect directly. This most typically occurs in the brain or spine.
Over time, the abnormal vessels will begin to dilate as the blood pressure places an added strain on their already weakened structure. Sadly, more than 50% of people with an AVM will experience a hemorrhagic stroke.
In addition, certain types of brain cancer can cause an intracranial hemorrhage by undermining the structural integrity of a vessel and weakening it to the point of bursting. Other causes include amyloid angiopathy or cocaine abuse.
Treatment
One of the first steps to dealing with an intracranial hemorrhage is to normalize the blood pressure as quickly as possible. Intravenous antihypertensive drugs are standardly used for this, while medications may also be prescribed to counteract any blood thinners the person may be taking.
Once the individual has been stabilized, the doctors will aim to pinpoint the source of the bleeding. If the hemorrhage is relatively small, supportive care may be all that is needed, including monitored hydration with IV fluids to prevent intracranial swelling.
For more serious strokes, surgery may be needed to repair the rupture and stop the bleeding. In other cases, it may be used to alleviate pressure from the accumulated blood. This may require a procedure known as a craniotomy in which a section of the skull is temporarily removed.
Typically speaking, recovery from a hemorrhagic stroke is slow and requires a prolonged hospital stay. Occupational, speech, and physical therapy may also be needed to improve motor skills affected by brain damage.
In the case of a minor stroke, a person may be able to return home from the hospital or an acute rehabilitation center in a couple of weeks. In more severe cases, treatment may be on-going and require long-term care if the motor and cognitive functions have been significantly impaired.
