Skip to Content
800-533-8762
  • Careers
  • Newsroom
  • Health Care Professionals
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
UPMC
  • Find a Doctor
  • Services
    • Frequently Searched Services
    • Frequently Searched Services
      Allergy & Immunology Behavioral & Mental Health Cancer Ear, Nose & Throat Endocrinology Gastroenterology Heart & Vascular Imaging Neurosciences Orthopaedics
      Physical Rehabilitation Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery Primary Care Senior Services Sports Medicine Telemedicine Transplant Surgery Walk-In Care Weight Management Women’s Health
      See all Services
    • Services by Region
    • Find a UPMC health care facility close to you quickly by browsing by region.
      UPMC in Western Pa. Western Pa. and New York
      UPMC in Central Pa. Central Pa.
      UPMC in North Central Pa. North Central Pa.
      UPMC in Western Md. Maryland & West Virginia
    • See All Services
  • Locations
    • Locations by Type
    • Locations by Type
      UPMC hospitals
      Hospitals
      Physical Therapy
      Physical Therapy
      Urgent care
      Walk-In Care
      UPMC Outpatient Centers
      Outpatient Centers
      UPMC Imaging Services
      Imaging
      Community Health Centers
      Community Health Centers
      See All Locations
    • Locations by Region
    • Locations by Region
      UPMC in Southwest Pa. Southwest Pa.
      UPMC in North Central Pa. North Central Pa.
      UPMC in Northwest Pa and Ny. Northwest Pa. & Western N.Y.
      UPMC in West Central Pa. West Central Pa.
      UPMC in Central Pa. Central Pa.
      UPMC in Western Md. Maryland & West Virginia
    • See All Locations
  • Patients & Visitors
    • Patient & Visitor Resources
    • Patient & Visitor Resources
      Patients and Visitors Resources Pay a Bill Classes & Events Medical Records Health Library Patient Information
      Patient Portals Privacy Information Shared Decision Making Traveling Patients Visitor Information
      Man uses mobile phone
      Pay a Bill
      Nurse reviews medical chart
      Request Medical Records
  • Patient Portals
  • Find Covid-19 updates
  • Schedule an appointment
  • Request medical records
  • Pay a bill
  • Learn about financial assistance
  • Find classes & events
  • Send a patient an eCard
  • Make a donation
  • Volunteer
  • Read HealthBeat blog
  • Explore UPMC Careers
Skip to Content
UPMC
  • Patient Portals
  • For Patients & Visitors
    • Find a Doctor
    • Locations
    • Patient & Visitor Resources
    • Pay a Bill
    • Services
    • More
      • Medical Records
      • Financial Assistance
      • Classes & Events
      • HealthBeat Blog
      • Health Library
  • About UPMC
    • Why UPMC
    • Facts & Stats
    • Supply Chain Management
    • Community Commitment
    • More
      • Financials
      • Support UPMC
      • UPMC Apps
      • UPMC Enterprises
      • UPMC International
  • For Health Care Professionals
    • Physician Information
    • Resources
    • Education & Training
    • Departments
    • Credentialing
  • Careers
  • Contact Us
  • Newsroom
  • UPMC >
  • Our Services >
  • UPMC Stroke Institute >
  • Learn About Stroke >
  • Hemorrhagic Stroke
UPMC Stroke Institute
Learn About Stroke
Transient Ischemic Attack
Ischemic Stroke
Hemorrhagic Stroke
Stroke Treatment
Risk Factors & Prevention
Patient Stories
Telestroke
Contact Us
UPMC Stroke Institute
Learn About Stroke
Transient Ischemic Attack
Ischemic Stroke
Hemorrhagic Stroke
Stroke Treatment
Risk Factors & Prevention
Patient Stories
Telestroke
Contact Us

Chat Keywords List

  • cancel or exit: Stops your conversation
  • start over: Restarts your current scenario
  • help: Shows what this bot can do
  • terms: Shows terms of use and privacy statement
  • feedback: Give us feedback
Continue
Chat with UPMC
RESTART
MENU
CLOSE

Hemorrhagi​c Stroke Types, Causes, and Treatments

Hemorrhagic stroke occurs when a blood vessel breaks and blood leaks or spills into the brain tissue. As a result, brain cells in the affected area die. There are four types of hemorrhagic stroke that commonly occur.

Types of Hemorrhagic Stroke

Intracerebral hemorrhage

A small artery in the brain can break and spill blood into nearby brain tissue. Brain cells in the area are destroyed. This stroke is called an intracerebral hemorrhage, or “ICH” for short. High blood pressure is usually the cause of this type of stroke.

Subarachnoid hemorrhage

A large artery in the brain may become weak. It may stretch out, like a balloon filling with water. The “balloon” is called an aneurysm. The aneurysm may break, spilling blood into the space between the brain tissue and the membrane that covers the brain. This membrane is called the arachnoid membrane. The stroke is called a subarachnoid hemorrhage, or “SAH” for short.

Arterial venous malformation

Arteries and veins may be tangled, or malformed, at birth. This is called “AVM,” or arterial venous malformation. Over time, an AVM may break apart. How serious the damage is depends on where the AVM is located in the brain.

Cerebral amyloid angiopathy

In the elderly, small blood vessels in the brain may be weakened by deposits of protein. This condition is cerebral amyloid angiopathy, or “CAA.” Frail arteries then may break, and blood leaks into the brain. How serious the damage is depends on the location and amount of bleeding from the breaks.

Hemorrhagic Stroke Causes

Hemorrhagic stroke can be caused by an array of conditions, which may include:

  • Head trauma
  • High blood pressure
  • Blood vessel abnormalities
  • Amyloid angiopathy
  • Blood or bleeding disorders
  • Liver disease
  • Brain tumors

Hemorrhagic Stroke Treatment Options

Treatment for hemorrhagic stroke depends on the amount of bleeding in the brain and the location, cause, and extent of the hemorrhage.

You doctor may choose to perform endovascular procedures similar to treatments for an ischemic stroke. These are less invasive than surgical treatments, and involve the use of a catheter to deposit a mechanical agent, such as a coil or clip, to stop the bleeding.

In some cases, surgery may be needed to alleviate swelling and prevent additional bleeding. 

Learn more about treating hemorrhagic stroke through endovascular or surgical approaches. »

Make an Appointment

To schedule an appointment, please call 412-232-8840 or complete a contact form.

Stroke Resources

  • American Heart Association
  • American Stroke Association

Contact the UPMC Stroke Institute

1350 Locust St., Suite 311
Pittsburgh, PA 15219

Phone: 412-232-8840

Complete a contact form . »

UPMC
200 Lothrop Street Pittsburgh, PA 15213

412-647-8762 800-533-8762

Patients And Visitors
  • Find a Doctor
  • Locations
  • Pay a Bill
  • Patient & Visitor Resources
  • Disabilities Resource Center
  • Services
  • Medical Records
  • No Surprises Act
  • Price Transparency
  • Financial Assistance
  • Classes & Events
  • Health Library
Health Care Professionals
  • Physician Information
  • Resources
  • Education & Training
  • Departments
  • Credentialing
Newsroom
  • Newsroom Home
  • Inside Life Changing Medicine Blog
  • News Releases
About
  • Why UPMC
  • Facts & Stats
  • Supply Chain Management
  • Community Commitment
  • Financials
  • Supporting UPMC
  • HealthBeat Blog
  • UPMC Apps
  • UPMC Enterprises
  • UPMC Health Plan
  • UPMC International
  • Nondiscrimination Policy
Life changing is...
Follow UPMC
  • Contact Us
  • Website/Email Terms of Use
  • Medical Advice Disclaimer
  • Privacy Information
  • Active Privacy Alerts
  • Sitemap
© 2025 UPMC I Affiliated with the University of Pittsburgh Schools of the Health Sciences Supplemental content provided by Healthwise, Incorporated. To learn more, visit healthwise.org
Find Care
Providers
Video Visit
Portal Login