Hypertensive intracerebral hemorrhage Health Article

Definition

Hypertensive intracerebral hemorrhage is type of stroke in which there is bleeding in the brain due to high blood pressure.

See also:

• Deep intracerebral hemorrhage
• Hemorrhagic stroke
• Intracerebral hemorrhage

Causes, incidence, and risk factors

Hypertensive intracerebral hemorrhage is caused by long-term high blood pressure (hypertension).

When blood pressure has remained high for a significant period of time, the walls of blood vessels change and become weak. Constant, high blood pressure wears away at the vessel walls and can lead to blockage of the vessels or leakage of blood into the brain. Blood irritates the brain tissues, causing swelling (cerebral edema). The blood collects into a mass called a hematoma.

Brain tissue swelling and a hematoma within the brain put increased pressure on the brain and can eventually destroy it.

Bleeding may occur in the hollow spaces (ventricles) in the center part of the brain or into the subarachnoid space (the space between the brain and the membranes that cover the brain). Such bleeding can cause symptoms of meningitis.

Use of cocaine, amphetamines, or other illicit stimulants can cause intracerebral hemorrhages in persons without high blood pressure.

Intracerebral hemorrhage can affect anybody, but it is most common in older people.

Symptoms

Symptoms depend on the location of the bleeding in the brain and how much damage has occurred. Symptoms most commonly develop suddenly, without warning, and often during activity. There is a rapid loss of function on one side of the body.

The symptoms can be the same as those that result from a stroke, and may include:

• Decreased consciousness
  • Comatose
  • Lethargic
  • Sleepy
  • Stuporous
  • Unconscious
  • Withdrawn
• Difficulty reading or writing
• Difficulty speaking or understanding others
• Difficulty swallowing
• Headache
  • Gets worse when you change position, such as bending, straining, or coughing
  • May wake you up from sleep
  • Occurs when lying flat
• Loss of coordination
• Loss of balance
• Movement changes
  • Difficulty moving any body part
  • Loss of fine motor skills
• Nausea or vomiting
• Seizure
• Sensation changes
  • Decreased sensation
  • Numbness
  • Tingling
• Weakness of any body part
• Vision changes
  • Any change in vision
  • Decreased vision
  • Loss of vision off to one side