Health Encyclopedia
Hypertensive intracerebral hemorrhage
Definition
Hypertensive intracerebral hemorrhage is type of stroke in which there is bleeding in the brain due to high blood pressure.
See also:
Causes
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- Withdrawn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
- Weakness of any body part
- Vision changes
- Any change in vision
- Decreased vision
- Loss of vision off to one side
Exams and Tests
A neurological exam may show signs of increased pressure in the brain, such as swelling of the optic nerve or changes in eye movement. The doctor will check your reflexes and movement to see if there have been any changes in brain function.
Changes in function may help reveal the location of the problem within the brain.
In order to be classified as a hypertensive hemorrhage, the person must have some history of high blood pressure. Often the blood pressure is still very high when the patient is examined. Other tests may show other signs of high blood pressure, such as abnormal blood vessels in the eyes or problems with kidney function.
Tests to determine the amount and cause of bleeding include:
- CBC
- Platelet count
- Bleeding time
- Prothrombin time
- Partial thromboplastin time
- Liver function tests
- Kidney function tests
- Angiography of the head (if symptoms allow enough time to perform this test) -- reveals any aneurysm or arteriovenous malformation present
However, an image of the brain is needed to prove the condition is due to intracerebral hemorrhage. This can be done with a:
- Head CT scan (preferred if the hemorrhage began less than 48 hours earlier)
- Head MRI
Treatment
Intracerebral hemorrhage is a severe condition that requires prompt medical attention. It can develop quickly into a life-threatening situation.
Surgery may be needed to remove the hematoma, especially if there is a hematoma in the base of the brain (cerebellum). If bleeding blocks the flow of spinal fluid, a shunt or drain in the brain may be recommended in some cases.
Medicines used may include:
- Anticonvulsants to control seizures
- Corticosteroids or diuretics to reduce swelling
- Medications to control blood pressure
- Painkillers
Other treatments may be recommended, depending on your overall health and symptoms.
Most patients will be admitted to a hospital's intensive care unit (ICU) for close monitoring.
Outlook (Prognosis)
How well a person does depends on the size and location of the bleed. Recovery can occur completely, or there may be some level of permanent loss of brain function.
Medications, surgery, and other treatments can have severe side effects. Death can occur rapidly despite prompt medical attention.
Possible Complications
- Permanent loss of any brain function, which may include:
- Loss of cognitive function
- Loss of movement of arm(s) or leg(s)
- Inability to eat or swallow
- Inability to speak
- Vision loss
- Seizures
- Side effects of medications used to treat the disorder
- Surgery complications
When to Contact a Medical Professional
Any type of intracerebral hemorrhage, or "brain attack," is a medical emergency.
Go to the emergency room or call 911 if other symptoms of deep intracerebral hemorrhage develop. Emergency symptoms include:
- Difficulty breathing
- Loss of ability to move or swallow
- Loss of consciousness
- Seizures
- Sudden loss of sensations
- Sudden change in mental state
Call your health care provider if severe headache with nausea, vomiting, decreased vision, numbness, or tingling occurs.
Prevention
Treatment and control of disorders that can bring on intracerebral hemorrhage will reduce the risk. High blood pressure should be treated as appropriate. Do not stop taking medications unless told to do so by your doctor.
References
Zivin JA. Hemorrhagic cerebrovascular disease. In: Goldman L, Ausiello D, eds. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007:chap 432.
Goldstein LB. Prevention and management of stroke. In: Libby P, Bonow RO, Mann DL, Zipes DP, eds. Libby: Braunwald's Heart Disease: A Textbook of Cardiovascular Medicine. 8th ed. Saunders;2007:chap 58.
Reviewed By: David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
