A hemorrhagic stroke is caused by a ruptured artery, or aneurysm, in the brain. Aneurysms can be caused by high blood pressure. A brain aneurysm is a ballooning of an artery in the brain. This weakens the artery until it ruptures.
Symptoms
According to the Mayo Clinic, common symptoms of a stroke include a severe and unusual headache, and difficulty seeing, speaking and walking. Additional symptoms include paralysis and weakness or numbness on one side of the body.
Diagnosis
To diagnose aneurysms, doctors often prescribe magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or an x-ray angiography. Both procedures involve an injection into the blood vessels of a contrast solution that illuminates damaged tissue.
Treatment
Treatment of a brain aneurysm typically requires surgery. In addition, the Mayo Clinic recommends a dose of aspirin in order to prevent an additional stroke attack.
Who's at Risk?
Those over the age of 55 and those with a family history of stroke or heart attack are at higher risk for a brain aneurysm. Other risk factors are smoking, obesity, diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
Prevention
Tips for preventing this condition include not smoking, exercising regularly, controlling blood pressure and keeping cholesterol in check.
Tags: brain aneurysm, blood pressure, Mayo Clinic
