A hemorrhagic stroke occurs when a blood vessel ruptures in or near the brain. Hemorrhagic strokes are different from ischemic strokes in many ways. The fatality rate is higher and overall prognosis poorer for those who’ve had hemorrhagic strokes. Symptoms appear suddenly and is often associated with a very severe headache, nausea and vomiting.

There are two kinds of hemorrhagic stroke. In both a blood vessel ruptures, disrupting the blood flow to part of the brain.

• Subarachnoid hemorrhage occurs when a blood vessel on the surface of the brain ruptures and bleeds into the space between the brain and the skull.
• Intracerebral hemorrhage occurs when a blood vessel bleeds into the tissue deep within the brain. Chronically high blood pressure or aging blood vessels are the main causes of this type of stroke.

Hemorrhagic strokes are life threatening and immediate medical care is crucial. Surgery may be needed to repair an aneurysm or remove a blood clot.