Is a Brain Haemorrhage the same as a Stroke?

A Brain Haemorrhage, or a Haemorrhagic stroke, is a subtype of stroke where there is a haemorrhage in the brain (bleeding in or around the brain). These types of strokes account for around 15% of strokes in the UK.

Conversely, an Ischemic Stroke is due to a blockage in the blood supply to the brain, these types of strokes account for around 85% of strokes.

Often when we hear someone say, “They had a Stroke”, they are typically referring to an Ischemic Stroke.

Unfortunately, a Haemorrhagic Stroke, whilst less common than an Ischemic Stroke, is more fatal and results in much more severe disabilities.

The two main types of Haemorrhagic Stroke are Intracerebral Haemorrhage (ICH) when there is bleeding within the brain (this is the most common type of haemorrhagic stroke) and Subarachnoid Haemorrhage (SAH) when there is bleeding on the surface of the brain.

Bleeds in or on the brain have different causes, but some things can make you more likely to have a Haemorrhagic Stroke, such as high blood pressure and a build-up of fatty material in your arteries, however, there are ways to try and prevent brain haemorrhages from happening.

Subarachnoid Haemorrhage (SAH) is often due to a burst aneurysm.

An aneurysm is a bulge in a blood vessel and when the walls of an aneurysm are weak, they sometimes burst as the blood passes through the vessel, causing bleeding into the layer of fluid around the brain. A brain aneurysm doesn't usually cause any symptoms unless it ruptures.

However, some people with unruptured aneurysms experience symptoms such as sight problems, pain on one side of the face or around the eye, and persistent headaches. Exactly what causes the wall of affected blood vessels to weaken is still unclear, although risk factors have been identified. These include smoking, high blood pressure, and a family history of brain aneurysms. In some cases, an aneurysm may develop because there is a weakness in the walls of the blood vessels at birth.

Can a Brain Haemorrhage be prevented?

The best way to prevent a Haemorrhagic Stroke, or reduce the risk of an aneurysm growing bigger and possibly rupturing is to prevent activities that damage your blood vessels, such as smoking, eating a high-fat diet, not controlling your high blood pressure, being overweight or obese.

PREVENT THE PREVENTABLE: Check your blood pressure 

Not all brain haemorrhages are preventable. But many are caused due to unhealthy lifestyles and according to STROKE UK Hypertension (high blood pressure), is the biggest cause of lifestyle-related brain haemorrhages. We want to educate people about brain haemorrhages, to prevent as many lifestyle-related brain haemorrhages from happening as possible. This is why we are running our ‘CHECK YOUR BLOOD PRESSURE’ Campaign.

Have you, or a loved one, been affected by a Haemorrhagic Stroke? Make sure to check out our real-life stories and helpful services page to help you navigate this difficult time.