Haemorrhagic stroke is a medical emergency that must be treated in good time, because with every minute that passes, millions more brain cells die. Recognising the earliest symptoms of this condition is therefore extremely important, because it may be the marker that saves the life of someone we love.

At present, patients with stroke are steadily increasing in number, particularly among middle-aged working people with high stress and a way of life that carries a risk of the disease. Understanding this condition correctly helps us to prevent it and care for ourselves appropriately.

Check now! The symptoms of haemorrhagic stroke, warning signs you must not overlook

Recognising the earliest symptoms of haemorrhagic stroke is something everyone should know, because treatment has to be given within the first 3-6 hours for the best result.

An easy way to remember the signs of stroke: F.A.S.T.

Medicine developed the F.A.S.T. principle so that people can check the initial symptoms. It consists of F (face drooping), A (arm weakness), S (speech difficulty), and T (time is critical). If any of the first 3 is found, the person must be taken to hospital at once.

How to check: ask the person to smile and see whether the face droops; raise both arms together and see whether one arm falls; and notice whether the speech is clear.

Other symptoms that may be found with it

Besides the main symptoms in F.A.S.T., there are other symptoms to notice:

Numbness or loss of sensation in the face, arm, or leg on one side
Dizziness or confusion
Abnormal vision, such as double vision, blurred vision, or partial loss of sight
Being unable to walk, staggering, or losing balance
Severe nausea and vomiting

These symptoms may occur together or singly, depending on the size and position of the vessel that has burst. If you suspect a stroke, take the person to hospital at once, because the symptoms can change very quickly.

"A headache as if the head will explode": what is the most dangerous sign?

A severe headache that the patient describes as "a headache like nothing before" or "a headache as if the head will explode" is the most dangerous sign of a haemorrhagic stroke. It arises suddenly and is very severe, and does not ease with ordinary painkillers. It may come with a stiff neck, and the patient may lose consciousness quickly. If these symptoms are found, the person must be taken to hospital at once. Do not wait to see how the symptoms develop, and do not give painkillers first.

What is a haemorrhagic stroke, and how does it differ from an ischaemic stroke?

Understanding haemorrhagic stroke has to begin with understanding the structure and working of the blood vessels in the brain. The brain is an organ that needs oxygen and nutrients continuously, supplied by several arteries of differing size and importance. When these vessels become abnormal, the working of the brain is affected.

Stroke in general divides into 2 large types:

Ischaemic stroke, arising from a blockage of a vessel
Haemorrhagic stroke, arising from the rupture of a vessel wall

Both types have the same result — brain cells lacking oxygen and finally dying — but the mechanism by which they arise and their treatment differ completely.

Understanding the mechanism simply

A haemorrhagic stroke occurs when the wall of a vessel bursts, so that blood flows out and presses on the brain tissue, producing swelling (brain oedema) and increasing the pressure inside the skull. The brain tissue that should receive that blood is left without supply. This process makes the symptoms appear suddenly and severely, differing from ischaemic stroke, in which the symptoms gradually worsen.

The important difference between "burst" and "blocked"

The main difference between a haemorrhagic and an ischaemic stroke lies in the mechanism and the severity of the symptoms. Ischaemic stroke usually arises from the build-up of cholesterol and other substances in the vessel wall, so that the vessel narrows or finally blocks, while haemorrhagic stroke arises because the vessel wall is not strong enough to withstand high blood pressure.

Medical statistics show that ischaemic stroke accounts for about 80-85% of all stroke patients, while haemorrhagic stroke accounts for about 15-20% but has a higher mortality rate. In terms of treatment, patients with ischaemic stroke may receive a clot-dissolving medicine or have the clot removed, while patients with haemorrhagic stroke must have surgery to stop the bleeding and reduce the pressure in the brain.

The causes and risk factors of haemorrhagic stroke: who should be careful?

Understanding the causes and risk factors of haemorrhagic stroke helps us prevent it effectively. The main risk factor is uncontrolled high blood pressure, which leaves the vessel wall weak and easily burst.

Risk factors that can be controlled:

Smoking and drinking too much alcohol
Lack of exercise and obesity
Uncontrolled diabetes
Chronic stress and not sleeping enough
Eating food high in salt and otherwise unsuitable

Risk factors that cannot be changed:

Increasing age and male sex
A family history of stroke

For working people today, there are increasing risk factors from hard work, high stress, and a hurried way of life, all of which greatly increase the risk.

What to do at once when you find someone with suspected symptoms (step-by-step guide)

When you find someone with symptoms suggesting a haemorrhagic stroke, the most important thing is to stay calm and act systematically. Correct help greatly increases the chance of survival and reduces disability.

The steps of basic first aid

Assess the level of consciousness by calling the person's name and trying to rouse them
If the person responds, ask about the symptoms according to F.A.S.T.
If they are unconscious, check breathing and pulse
Lay the person flat; if they vomit, turn the face to the side

What must be done and what must not be done

Must do:

Call an ambulance or take the person to hospital at once
Note the time the symptoms first appeared and the symptoms observed
Prepare the person's information (chronic conditions, medicines taken, allergy history)

Must not do:

Do not give painkillers or blood-pressure medicine yourself
Do not wait to see how the symptoms develop or try to treat it yourself

Rehabilitation and how to prevent it happening again

After the patient has been treated in the acute phase, rehabilitation and preventing a recurrence are no less important. The rehabilitation phase may take months or years, depending on the severity of the condition and how each individual responds to treatment. Good rehabilitation helps the patient return to living as normally as possible.

The importance of physiotherapy after treatment

Physiotherapy is an important part of rehabilitation after a haemorrhagic stroke, because most patients have problems with movement, balance, and muscle coordination. The physiotherapist assesses the patient's ability and designs a suitable training programme, beginning by strengthening the muscle that remains, training balance, and training walking.

At a specialist clinic such as PYONG Rehabilitation Clinic, modern technology is used to help with rehabilitation, such as Peripheral Magnetic Stimulation (PMS) to stimulate the working of the affected nerves and muscles, and High Power Laser to reduce inflammation and speed the recovery of damaged brain tissue. These techniques greatly increase the effectiveness of rehabilitation, with a specialist rehabilitation medicine physician carefully assessing the suitability of each method for each individual patient's condition.

Changing lifestyle to control the risk factors

Changing lifestyle is the most important thing in preventing a recurrence. It consists of:

Controlling blood pressure:

Eat food low in salt, and more vegetables and fruit
Reduce high-fat food and processed food
Exercise regularly, starting gently and gradually increasing the intensity

Managing stress:

Meditate, practise deep breathing, and rest enough
Stop smoking and reduce alcohol

Taking medicine regularly as the doctor prescribes

Taking medicine continuously as the doctor prescribes is necessary, even when you feel better. The medicines you may receive include blood-pressure medicines, cholesterol-lowering medicines, anticoagulants, and sugar-controlling medicines for patients with diabetes.

Patients should follow up with the doctor regularly, have an annual health check, and consult the doctor promptly if anything abnormal appears, such as a headache different from usual, or numbness returning.

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

Patients and relatives often have questions about haemorrhagic stroke. Correct answers help in planning care appropriately.

Is there a chance of complete recovery from a haemorrhagic stroke?

The chance of recovery depends on the size and position of the vessel that burst, the speed of treatment, and the age and health of the patient. Those treated in good time and rehabilitated regularly have a better chance, but they may not return entirely to what they were. Recovery takes a long time and depends on physiotherapy.

Can this condition occur in young people?

Yes. Although it is more often found in older people, young people can have it too, particularly those with high blood pressure from a young age, those who use drugs, or those with a congenital vascular abnormality. People who work hard, are under high stress, eat unsuitably, smoke, and lack exercise are at greater risk.

Summary

Haemorrhagic stroke is an emergency that must be treated in good time. Knowing the F.A.S.T. symptoms and controlling the risk factors are important. If you suspect it, take the person to hospital at once, because every minute matters.

Rehabilitation with physiotherapy and modern technology helps a person return to living with quality. PYONG Rehabilitation Clinic provides rehabilitation with PMS and High Power Laser Therapy, by experienced specialist physicians in rehabilitation medicine.

📞 Enquiries and appointments: (+66) 88 589 0896