Hemorrhagic Strokes (Bleeds)

Updated:Apr 26,2017
View a detailed animation of hemorrhagic stroke (opens in new window)


Hemorrhagic stroke accounts for about 13 percent of stroke cases. 

It results from a weakened vessel that ruptures and bleeds into the surrounding brain. The blood accumulates and compresses the surrounding brain tissue. The two types of hemorrhagic strokes are intracerebral (within the brain) hemorrhage or subarachnoid hemorrhage.

Hemorrhagic stroke occurs when a weakened blood vessel ruptures. Two types of weakened blood vessels usually cause hemorrhagic stroke: aneurysms and arteriovenous malformations (AVMs). View a detailed animation of hemorrhagic stroke.

  • An aneurysm is a ballooning of a weakened region of a blood vessel. If left untreated, the aneurysm continues to weaken until it ruptures and bleeds into the brain. Learn more about cerebral aneurysm.
     
  • An arteriovenous malformation (AVM) is a cluster of abnormally formed blood vessels. Any one of these vessels can rupture, also causing bleeding into the brain. Learn more about AVM.




This content was last reviewed on 11/7/2013.

TIA and Stroke: Medical Emergencies



When someone has shown symptoms of a stroke or a TIA (transient ischemic attack), they require immediate medical attention. A doctor will gather information and make a diagnosis and begin a course of treatment depending on the cause of the stroke.

New Pediatric Stroke Resources


Thanks to the International Alliance for Pediatric Stroke's hard work and dedication, we are excited to share new pediatric stroke resources. Help us spread pediatric stroke awareness with these new tools: