Hemorrhagic Stroke | Symptoms & Causes

What are the symptoms of hemorrhagic stroke?

The symptoms of hemorrhagic stroke tend to occur suddenly and can include:

  • severe headaches
  • vomiting and nausea
  • irritability (in infants)
  • weakness or numbness of the face, arm or leg, usually on one of side of the body
  • difficulty walking, seeing, speaking or understanding
  • dizziness or loss of balance
  • seizures, sometimes followed by paralysis on one side of the body
  • loss of consciousness

If you suspect your child is having a stroke, don’t wait — go directly to an emergency room.

What causes a hemorrhagic stroke?

Hemorrhagic stroke is the result of bleeding in the brain, which can deprive that organ of the oxygen it needs. This is typically caused by blood vessel abnormalities such as cavernous malformations, arteriovenous malformations, venous angiomas and aneurysms. An arterial dissection, a tear in the lining of an artery, can also lead to a hemorrhagic stroke. Clotting disorders such as hemophilia, sickle cell disease, brain tumors and congenital heart disease can also cause bleeds that may lead to hemorrhagic stroke.