Out of all the cases of patients suffering a stroke, haemorrhagic stroke makes up almost 13 percent of the total tally. Even though they are less common than other strokes, they do account for about 40 percent of all the deaths that happen as a result of stroke.
Haemorrhagic stroke is also one of the most life-threatening ones, and almost half of those who suffer from the same have a tragic result, almost often in the first two days.
What Is Haemorrhagic Stroke
It is the type of stroke in which a blood vessel in the brain ruptures and leads to bleeding in the brain. As the blood starts to accumulate, it exerts pressure on the brain tissue surrounding the area. The bleeding can happen from a ruptured brain aneurysm (a type of swelling in a part of a blood vessel) or when there is any leakage in a blood vessel.
Types
There are two types of haemorrhagic stroke:
1. Intracerebral Haemorrhage
It is the type of haemorrhage in which the blood vessel bursts inside the brain and the blood leaks into the surrounding areas and tissues. Sometimes, it can also be a genetic thing known as arteriovenous malformation (AVM), in which case the arteries and the veins of the brain or spine are connected in an abnormal way. If it is due to the genetic condition, it can be treated if diagnosed on time.
2. Subarachnoid Haemorrhage
It is the type of haemorrhage in which there is bleeding in the area that lies between the brain and the tissues covering it. While the most common reason for this is a burst aneurysm, other causes include injury to the head, some form of bleeding disorder, AVM, blood thinners and more.
Symptoms
Some of the most common symptoms are:
- Difficulty or inability to speak and, or, breathe, and, or walk
- Sudden feeling of weakness and, or vomiting, without any apparent reason
- Stiffness in the neck
- Sudden severe headache
- Sudden dizziness or unconsciousness
- Difficulty or inability in controlling eye movements
- Sudden numbness or paralysis in any part
- Unable to understand anything, confusion,
- Coma, seizure
- Difficulty or inability to look at any bright light
How To Prevent
It is possible to prevent a haemorrhagic stroke, and here are a few ways you can keep yourself safe:
- One of the first ways you can prevent a haemorrhagic stroke is by keeping your blood pressure in check.
- If you are on any medication, have a discussion with your doctor about any possible side effects. One medication that can have an impact is warfarin, which is mainly used to treat people who suffer from blood clots in their blood vessels. If you are also taking any other medication, understand the effects and how it can react. Sometimes, high levels of warfarin can lead to bleeding.
- Keep your cholesterol levels in check, as high levels of cholesterol can also lead to a haemorrhagic stroke.
- Cut down your alcohol consumption as well as any substance abuse. Smoking is also thought to increase your chances of aneurysm, so avoiding it may help prevent the stroke.
When To Call A Doctor
- If you suddenly experience a headache along with vomiting
- If you are already on warfarin and suddenly experience severe headache
Remember that if diagnosed and treated on time, you can fully or almost partially recover from a haemorrhagic stroke. Also, it is possible to reduce and prevent your chances of the same, so make sure you follow a healthy and careful lifestyle, and seek medical help as soon as you notice any symptoms.
