Subarachnoid haemorrhage 

Introduction 

Stroke: an animation

This animation explains how a stroke happens, the different types of stroke and how lifestyle changes may help to reduce the risks.

Reducing the risk

The three most effective steps you can take to reduce your risk of having a subarachnoid haemorrhage are:

Read more about preventing a subarachnoid haemorrhage.

Carers Direct

Need advice on looking after an ill or disabled relative? Find tips and practical information on the Carers Direct site, or on 0808 802 0202.

A subarachnoid haemorrhage is a type of stroke caused by bleeding in and around the brain.

Subarachnoid haemorrhages account for around 1 in 20 of all strokes in England

The most common symptom of a subarachnoid haemorrhage is a sudden and very severe headache which has been described as 'like being hit on the head with a shovel’.

Other symptoms can include:

  • being sick
  • seizures (fits) loss of consciousness, and most seriously
  • sudden death (about 1 in 10)

Read more about the symptoms of a subarachnoid haemorrhage.

Treatment

Subarachnoid haemorrhage is a medical emergency that requires immediate treatment.

If you or someone you know thinks a subarachnoid haemorrhage has occurred you should immediately dial 999 for an ambulance.

A person with a subarachnoid haemorrhage will need to be admitted to hospital.

There are two main treatment approaches:

  • using medication to prevent complications (see below)
  • using surgery to repair the source of the bleeding

Read more about treating a subarachnoid haemorrhage.

What causes a subarachnoid haemorrhage?

The majority of subarachnoid haemorrhages are caused when a brain aneurysm bursts open. A brain aneurysm is a bulge in a blood vessel  caused by a weakness in the blood vessel wall. (The medical term for a burst brain aneurysm is a ruptured intracranial aneurysm.)

The blood from a burst aneurysm can damage brain tissue, while the reduction in blood supply can starve the brain of oxygen causing further damage.

It is not always clear why aneurysms develop in the first place but certain things are known to increase your risk of developing one, including:

Read more about the causes of a subarachnoid haemorrhage.

Complications

A subarachnoid haemorrhage can cause both short and long-term complications.

Serious short-term complication include:

  • further bleeding at the site of the aneurysm
  • blood vessels near the site of the aneurysm go into spasm (vasospasm) reducing the blood supply further 

Long-term complications include:

  • epilepsy – where a person has repeated seizures (fits)
  • problems with certain mental functions such as memory, planning and concentration
  • changes in mood such as depression

Read more about the complications of a subarachnoid haemorrhage.

Who is affected 

There are up to 9,000 hospital admissions for subarachnoid haemorrhages each year in England.

4 out of 5 cases occur in people aged between 40 and 65 years, but it can happen at any age; although it is rare in children.

It is more common in women than men.

Subarachnoid haemorrhages are more common in black people compared to other ethnic groups. This could be because black people are more likely to develop high blood pressure. (Read more about black health issues).

Outlook

The outlook for subarachnoid haemorrhage has improved in the last few decades, and about 65% of patients will survive. However recovery can be a slow and often frustrating process and it is common to have difficulties with issues such as relationships and resuming day to day activities 

Read more about recovering from a subarachnoid haemorrhage.

  • show glossary terms
Haemorrhage
To haemorrhage means to bleed or lose blood.
Blood
Blood supplies oxygen to the body and removes carbon dioxide. It is pumped around the body by the heart.
Blood vessels
Blood vessels are the tubes in which blood travels to and from parts of the body. The three main types of blood vessels are veins, arteries and capillaries.
Brain
The brain controls thought, memory and emotion. It sends messages to the body controlling movement, speech and senses.
Tissue
Body tissue is made up of groups of cells that perform a specific job, such as protecting the body against infection, producing movement or storing fat.

Last reviewed: 13/04/2012

Next review due: 13/04/2014

Comments

7 Comments

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Comments are personal views. Any information they give has not been checked and may not be accurate.

leemarq said on 16 May 2012

It has been 4 months now since my own subarachnodial haemorrage. I was at a BBQ and suddenly felt my head explode, and was sick (physically) every time I tried to move. 2 days in IC and a further 10 days in a High Dependency Ward followed. I am back at work now, but still get tired quite easily (this does get better), yet often I will eake up in the early hours unable to sleep, and find I suffer feelings of depression more readily. Time does seem to help, though, but I will admit that my personality seems to have changed. I used to be patient and understanding. Now I'm just not. Its strange to feel health but changed.

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Rik H said on 28 November 2011

Im 26 years old and have just been diagnosed with a subarachnoid hemourage after having a TIA last year and being told I was fine and only suffering with migrane by my local hospital. I am now awaiting an op which will be done ASAP according to my local neurosurgery. I am tired all the time, increasingly weak on my right side, struggle with speach and constant pain. I do not know how long this op is going to be an am dreading the recovery time. After reading this page I am extremely scared that if it's not soon things will just get worse. :(

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michelle18 said on 23 July 2011

I'm a 28 year old airhostess and had landed back from Toronto and decided to go straight to one of my friends houses. Whilst I was there I remember a big sudden pain in my head and I said 'it feels like my head's just caved in!' The next thing i was feeling queasy and was being sick. Then apparently i passed out.
It turns out I had a subarachnoid haemorrhage.
I had the operation at the John Radcliffe hospital in Oxford, and apparently I was in an induced coma for 3 days, was paralysed down my right hand side and wasn't talking for over a week! I don't remember any of this, and probably the next 2 weeks cause of the medication I was on. Even when i was allowed back home the occupational therapist come over to see me and wanted me to draw a clock face, and i couldn't even do that, amongst other things she was testing me on!
Throughout my recovery I always remember being happy (in a weird little way). I was never depressed or down. Maybe with thanks to all my family and friends!
I made a full recovery after 5 and a half months, which is amazing! I'm certainly one lucky girl, and am so grateful to everyone that was involved in me making my amazing recovery.
I am now back flying the skys and am so happy my life has returned back to how it was before.

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lornaC79 said on 08 July 2011

My Dad suffered from a subarachnoid haemorrhage in 2001. We were told that he had a 30% chance of survival and if he did, he would be left requiring nursing care. Well, he made a full recovery and returned to his old self after a few months- the medical team were gob smacked!! Not a day goes by where i forget how lucky we all were to have him back. The day Dad walked me down the aisle was a truly momentous occasion. Maisie moo....keep your chin up toots and i hope you don't resent your Dad too much for walking out. We all deal with lifes ups and downs differently. I also experienced the same with my then so - called friends. You learn that there are better people out there who will give the support you need. Just remember to look after yourself too. I was in my 3rd year of nurse training when dad took ill and i firmly believe that it made me all the better a nurse - believe me, this life experience will only make you stronger and a better person and nurse. Also wish to thanks once again, my colleagues at Stirling Royal Infirmary and the staff at the Western General neurology dept whose amazing and swift care saved my Dads life and restored our family life back in 2001 and the care and support we all recieved in the months which followed.

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User571259 said on 06 July 2011

I had a subarachnoid haemorage 4 years ago
I was very lucky-admitted to Royal Free same day.
surgery - followed by daily lumbar punctures-ouch!
I had 1 year off work & then went back to work(administrator NHS) lot's of computer work.
To maisie_the_moo ,my first year was a nightmare I had difficulty walking/sight/headaches/unable to drive.
will never be the same- however your mum may be as lucky as I was.(my b/day 17th June) hope this is a sign for her recovery.?
I wish you and your mum all my very best wishes.
Rosie

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maisie_the_moo said on 16 June 2011

my mum had a subarachnoidal haemorage on 17th june 2010. we found her unconcious at 2 in the morning.. so tonight is going to be an emotional night for all of my family. I was 15 when i found my mum, and now 16, i have a lot to cope with... that lots of my friends cant understand. i have to help a lot at home, and i dont mind doing it, i just wish my friends would understand the reason why i cant always come out... :( my mum was very lucky to have survived the haemorage, as not many people do, and she just has a weak side to the body, and cant always do things for herself. she finds it hard to stay awake, and she is constantly in pain. My dad left us after 2 days of my mum coming out of hospital, so now i am sort of the 'head of house' in a way because i look after my mum and my 10 year old brother.. i would like to thank Kings College Hospital for their amazing care for my mum to ensure that she pulled through, and i am going to train to be an army nurse, and go and work in kings so that i can hopefully help to save other innocent childrens parents.

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iamalady said on 09 February 2011

my son was hit over the head 5 years ago he had a subarachnoidal haemorage due to the trauma of the bang on the head he went to hospital in terrible pain they sent him home with paracetamol, no follow up he now has brain damage his character has completely changed, his marriage broke up he lost his home everything he cant smell or taste food, and suffers with headaches this should have been drained but they didnt have the resources for this, 5 years later he is disabled dont like people round him, cant live on his own he has organic personality disorder caused from the bang on his head and let down by the NHS

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