Subarachnoid hemorrhage

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Overview

A subarachnoid hemorrhage is bleeding in the space between the brain and the surrounding membrane (subarachnoid space). The primary symptom is a sudden, severe headache. Some people describe it as the worst headache they have ever felt. Along with having a headache, some people may experience:

  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Stiff neck
  • Problems with vision
  • Brief loss of consciousness

Bleeding usually happens when an irregular bulge in a blood vessel (aneurysm) bursts in the brain. Sometimes, bleeding is caused by trauma, a tangle of blood vessels in the brain (arteriovenous malformation), or other blood vessel or health problems.

Untreated, a subarachnoid hemorrhage can lead to permanent brain damage or death.

By Mayo Clinic Staff

Subarachnoid hemorrhage care at Mayo Clinic

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Diagnosis & treatment
Aug. 31, 2022
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  2. Connolly ES, et al. Guidelines for the management of aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage: A guideline for the healthcare professionals from the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association. Stroke 2012; doi: 10.1161/str.0b013e3182587839
  3. Siddiq F. Nonaneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/search. Accessed May 6, 2022.
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  13. Singer RJ, et al. Treatment of cerebral aneurysms. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/search. Accessed July 5, 2022.
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  17. Kramer CL, et al. Refining the association of fever with functional outcome in aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage. Neurocritical Care. 2017; doi: 10.1007/s12028-0160281-7
  18. Rinaldo L, et al. Transfer to high-volume centers associated with reduced mortality after endovascular treatment of acute stroke. Stroke. 2017; doi: 10.1161/strokeaha.116360
  19. Pegoli M, et al. Predictors of excellent functional outcome in aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage. Journal of Neurosurgery. 2015; doi: 10.3171/2014.10jns14290
  20. Nguyen HT. Allscripts EPSi. Mayo Clinic. April 22, 2022.
  21. Rabinstein AA (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic. July 1, 2022.

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Subarachnoid hemorrhage