Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSymptomsCausesDiagnosisTreatmentPrognosisCoping
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Symptoms
Causes
Diagnosis
Treatment
Prognosis
Coping
Asubarachnoid hemorrhage(SAH) is bleeding in the area surrounding thebraincalled the subarachnoid space. When this occurs, blood fills the space between the brain and the thin tissues that cover it, causing a buildup of pressure on the brain. A SAH is a life-threatening condition that requires immediate medical care.
This article provides an overview of subarachnoid hemorrhages, including symptoms, causes, diagnosis, and treatment.
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Prevalence of SAHSAHs cause 5%–10% of annual strokes in the United States, affecting 30,000 patients every year.
Prevalence of SAH
SAHs cause 5%–10% of annual strokes in the United States, affecting 30,000 patients every year.
In 97% of cases, the most common symptom of subarachnoid hemorrhage is sudden onset head pain that peoople often describe as “the worst headache of my life.”
Other symptoms of a SAH include:
The most common reason for SAH (85% of cases) is a blood vessel rupture of a bulging area in a blood vessel in the brain called ananeurysm.It is a form of hemorrhagic stroke. The blood pools between the brain and the membrane that covers it, putting pressure on the brain and damaging brain cells.
A subarachnoid hemorrhage can also result from other sources, such as a traumatic head injury. A fall or a motor vehicle accident may lead to a subarachnoid hemorrhage.
Other causes of a SAH include:
Factors that may put someone at higher risk of having a SAH include:
People with a subarachnoid hemorrhage may not have symptoms aside from a headache, and it is impossible to diagnose a SAH without further testing.
Diagnostic testing for SAH includes:
Complications of Subarachnoid Hemorrhage
A subarachnoid hemorrhage is a life-threatening condition and requires emergency treatment. If you or a loved one is experiencing symptoms, call 911 immediately. The faster a patient is treated, the greater the likelihood of survival and the lower the chances of having a permanent disability.
Treatment will depend on the cause of the SAH, but the goal of treatment is to stop the bleeding. Surgical treatment involves acraniotomyand may include using one of the following methods to control vessel bleeding:
A SAH is a life-threatening medical emergency.
Many SAH survivors will have some residual disability such as:
Many stroke survivors have deficits that will eventually get better over time, though many will have some form of permanent disability.
Recovery from a SAH can be difficult, and it’s important not to push yourself too hard. A SAH can significantly alter your regular way of life, including adapting to new ways of performing daily tasks.
You may also want to consider joining a support group or getting additional help from healthcare providers familiar with the difficulties that come with stroke recovery.
Avoid SubstancesAvoiding tobacco and alcohol after a stroke can help prevent future strokes from occurring.
Avoid Substances
Avoiding tobacco and alcohol after a stroke can help prevent future strokes from occurring.
Summary
A subarachnoid hemorrhage is bleeding in the subarachnoid space of the brain. The bleeding leads to pressure on the brain, which can cause severe health issues or brain damage. The most common symptom is sudden onset head pain, but other symptoms include nausea, fainting, blurred vision, loss of consciousness, and seizures.
Most subarachnoid hemorrhages result from a blood vessel rupture, such as ananeurysm. Diagnosis requires diagnostic imaging and treatment involves stopping the bleeding as soon as possible through a surgical intervention.
A Word From Verywell
Having a subarachnoid hemorrhage is a frightening experience for everyone involved. If you or a loved one is experiencing symptoms of a subarachnoid hemorrhage or other neurological issues, call 911 immediately. Early diagnosis and treatment are key to improving prognosis.
6 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Hopkins Medicine.Subarachnoid hemorrhage.Rincon F, Rossenwasser RH, Dumont A.The epidemiology of admissions of nontraumatic subarachnoid hemorrhage in the United States.Neurosurgery. 2013;73(2):217-222. doi:10.1227/01.neu.0000430290.93304.33Martin CO, Rymer MM.Hemorrhagic stroke: aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage.Mo Med. 2011;108(2):124-127.UCLA Heath.Subarachnoid hemorrhage.Cleveland Clinic.Subarachnoid hemorrhage.Edlow JA, Fisher J.Diagnosis of subarachnoid hemorrhage.Stroke. 2012;43(8):2031-2032. doi:10.1161/STROKEAHA.112.664011
6 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Hopkins Medicine.Subarachnoid hemorrhage.Rincon F, Rossenwasser RH, Dumont A.The epidemiology of admissions of nontraumatic subarachnoid hemorrhage in the United States.Neurosurgery. 2013;73(2):217-222. doi:10.1227/01.neu.0000430290.93304.33Martin CO, Rymer MM.Hemorrhagic stroke: aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage.Mo Med. 2011;108(2):124-127.UCLA Heath.Subarachnoid hemorrhage.Cleveland Clinic.Subarachnoid hemorrhage.Edlow JA, Fisher J.Diagnosis of subarachnoid hemorrhage.Stroke. 2012;43(8):2031-2032. doi:10.1161/STROKEAHA.112.664011
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Hopkins Medicine.Subarachnoid hemorrhage.Rincon F, Rossenwasser RH, Dumont A.The epidemiology of admissions of nontraumatic subarachnoid hemorrhage in the United States.Neurosurgery. 2013;73(2):217-222. doi:10.1227/01.neu.0000430290.93304.33Martin CO, Rymer MM.Hemorrhagic stroke: aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage.Mo Med. 2011;108(2):124-127.UCLA Heath.Subarachnoid hemorrhage.Cleveland Clinic.Subarachnoid hemorrhage.Edlow JA, Fisher J.Diagnosis of subarachnoid hemorrhage.Stroke. 2012;43(8):2031-2032. doi:10.1161/STROKEAHA.112.664011
Hopkins Medicine.Subarachnoid hemorrhage.
Rincon F, Rossenwasser RH, Dumont A.The epidemiology of admissions of nontraumatic subarachnoid hemorrhage in the United States.Neurosurgery. 2013;73(2):217-222. doi:10.1227/01.neu.0000430290.93304.33
Martin CO, Rymer MM.Hemorrhagic stroke: aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage.Mo Med. 2011;108(2):124-127.
UCLA Heath.Subarachnoid hemorrhage.
Cleveland Clinic.Subarachnoid hemorrhage.
Edlow JA, Fisher J.Diagnosis of subarachnoid hemorrhage.Stroke. 2012;43(8):2031-2032. doi:10.1161/STROKEAHA.112.664011
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