Why do people get brain hemorrhages

To do this, your doctor may order a CT scan, an MRI, or one of the following tests: Angiogram: During an angiogram, a catheter is inserted into an artery and threaded through the circulatory system up to the brain.

A dye is then injected through the catheter. This dye makes blood flow easy to see on X-rays. This dye makes it easy to see the arteries in your brain on a CT scan. Cerebrospinal fluid exam: Evidence of blood in this fluid may indicate bleeding. A lumbar puncture, Also known as a spinal tap, a lumbar puncture is another way to make a brain bleed diagnosis. Treatment options Brain bleed treatments depend on the size of the hemorrhage, its location in the brain, and the amount of swelling it causes.

For example, if a person hits their head, they may experience a subdural hematoma. Here, blood leaks out of damaged veins into the membrane that covers the brain, and causes pressure to build up. Although a brain bleed can be fatal, recovery is possible. A person may also experience long-term complications, such as epilepsy, or memory problems. There may be no warning signs of a bleed on the brain.

For example, it could happen after someone falls and hits their head. If there is a weakness in the blood vessel wall, it can bulge or swell, which is known as an aneurysm. Aneurysms can rupture suddenly without warning, and cause a bleed on the brain. Physical activity or strain can cause an aneurysm to rupture. This is why a brain bleed might happen if someone lifts something heavy, or feels a strong emotion, such as anger, which causes their blood pressure to rise.

The symptoms can vary, depending on where the bleed occurs. Different parts of the brain are responsible for different functions, such as speech, memory, or movement. A person with a bleed on the brain may experience :. A person could also have symptoms of a stroke.

People should remember the signs, and what to do, using the abbreviation Fast :. Stroke is a medical emergency. A person should always call if someone experiences symptoms of a bleed on the brain, or stroke. A severe head injury can cause a brain bleed. All serious head traumas need urgent medical attention. People with this type of injury may:. A ruptured aneurysm can cause a bleed on the brain. Aneurysms can be hard to detect before they burst, but common symptoms include headaches or double vision.

When they rupture, it could be in response to head trauma, or a rise in blood pressure levels. Risk factors can include :. Older men and women have a higher risk of stroke, but it can also affect many people under 65 years. Pregnancy , contraceptive use , and hormone replacement therapy may all play a part to increase the risk of stroke. In the United States, the risk of a first stroke is twice as high for Black people in comparison with white people.

This may be because the risk of diabetes and obesity is higher in Black populations. A brain aneurysm is a bulge in a blood vessel caused by a weakness in the blood vessel wall, usually at a point where the vessel branches off. As blood passes through the weakened vessel, the pressure causes a small area to bulge outwards like a balloon. Occasionally, this bulge can burst rupture , causing bleeding around the brain. Serious short-term complications can include further bleeding at the site of any aneurysm and brain damage caused by a reduction in blood supply to the brain.

Read more about the complications of a subarachnoid haemorrhage. Although the outlook for subarachnoid haemorrhage has improved in the last few decades, it can be fatal, and people who survive can be left with long-term problems. Recovering after a subarachnoid haemorrhage can also be a slow and frustrating process, and it's common to have problems such as:.

Read more about recovering from a subarachnoid haemorrhage. Our guide to care and support explains your options and where you can get support. Page last reviewed: 13 November Next review due: 13 November Symptoms of a subarachnoid haemorrhage There are usually no warning signs, but a subarachnoid haemorrhage sometimes happens during physical effort or straining, such as coughing, going to the toilet, lifting something heavy or having sex.

How a subarachnoid haemorrhage is treated A person with a suspected subarachnoid haemorrhage needs a CT scan in hospital to check for signs of bleeding around the brain.