Hemorrhagic Stroke Treatment

A hemorrhagic stroke is when a blood vessel ruptures in your brain, causing internal bleeding and disrupted blood flow. It’s sometimes called a bleeding stroke to differentiate it from ischemic strokes, which are caused by a blocked blood vessel.

Medical teams refer to hemorrhagic stroke as cerebrovascular accidents (CVA). Like all accidents, strokes happen quickly and often without warning. Signs of stroke are always an emergency—delaying care can lead to death or permanent disability.

MedStar Health delivers 24/7 comprehensive stroke care at our hospitals from D.C. to Baltimore. With immediate emergency treatment, specialists can control brain bleeding to give patients the best chance for positive outcomes.

Symptoms of stroke: BE FAST

BE FAST

Learn the signs of a stroke using the BE FAST acronym.

Types of hemorrhagic strokes

There are two kinds of hemorrhagic stroke, with different potential outcomes depending on where in the brain it occurs:

Intracerebral hemorrhage happens when the bleeding is located deep within the brain. Chronically high blood pressure or aging blood vessels are the main causes of this type of stroke.
Subarachnoid hemorrhage happens on the surface of the brain, allowing blood to leak into the space between the brain and the skull. This is the most fatal form of stroke.

What causes hemorrhagic stroke?

Hemorrhagic strokes occur when a blood vessel ruptures (breaks open) and leaks blood into the brain. This can happen when a brain aneurysm ruptures.

Several factors can increase the risk of stroke, including:

Advanced age
Heart or vascular disease, including:

High blood pressure
Preeclampsia—high blood pressure in pregnancy
High cholesterol
Blood clotting disorders
Tumors prone to bleeding

Tobacco, illegal drug, or excessive alcohol use

The most important changes you can make are to lower your blood pressure and cholesterol levels, get regular exercise, and take your medications as prescribed.

Diagnosis and treatment

A specialized stroke team will run diagnostic tests to determine whether you are having an ischemic stroke (caused by a clot blockage) versus a hemorrhagic stroke (caused by a ruptured blood vessel). Imaging scans can show the location of a brain bleed and the extent of brain injury. We will also evaluate the condition of the arteries in the heart and neck that supply blood to the brain.

Surgery

MedStar Health uses the most advanced surgical and microsurgical techniques to treat hemorrhagic stroke. Depending on the size and site of the brain bleed, you may need:

Surgical clipping of complex ruptured brain aneurysms
Surgical resection of arteriovenous malformations/fistulas
Carotid stenosis treatment to remove the plaque that caused the narrowing of the artery

Facebook Live: General Stroke Awareness

Learn about the different types of strokes, how they are managed and treated, and what you can do to reduce your risk.

Stroke rehabilitation

After surgery, you will be admitted to a neurology intensive care unit for close monitoring. Your stroke team will continue testing for lingering or possibly permanent brain injury. Your neurologist may prescribe medications to reduce swelling, prevent blood clots, or lower cholesterol levels.

Some patients will have complications that require specialized care. The MedStar Health stroke rehabilitation team will design a comprehensive plan to regain or improve speech, walking, and self-care. We will support you with guidance and encouragement every step of the way.

Learn More About Stroke Rehabilitation