K.N.O.W. Home Health - HEMORRHAGIC STROKE

HEMORRHAGIC STROKE

What Is a Hemorrhagic Stroke?

A hemorrhagic stroke happens when a blood vessel in the brain bursts (breaks open). When this happens, blood leaks into the brain and damages brain cells. This type of stroke is less common than other kinds, but it can be very serious or even deadly.

Causes of Hemorrhagic Stroke

High blood pressure (the most common cause)
Aneurysm (a weak spot in a blood vessel that balloons and bursts)
Head injury or trauma
Blood thinners or bleeding problems
Drug use (like cocaine or meth)
Liver disease or blood-clotting disorders

Signs and Symptoms

Signs of a hemorrhagic stroke come on suddenly and may include:

A sudden, severe headache ("the worst headache ever")
Nausea or vomiting
Weakness or numbness in the face, arm, or leg (especially on one side)
Vision changes
Trouble speaking or understanding words
Dizziness, trouble walking, or balance problems
Loss of consciousness (passing out or not waking up)

Special Diet, Precautions, and Considerations

Eat a low-salt, heart-healthy diet to keep blood pressure under control.
Avoid alcohol and illegal drugs — they can raise blood pressure.
Take your blood pressure medicine exactly as ordered.
If on blood thinners, take them exactly as prescribed — don’t skip or double up.
Be careful to avoid falls or injuries, especially if you're on blood thinners.
Do not take Over the Counter medications without first discussing with your Doctor or Pharmacist. Frequently, people who has had Hemorrhagic Stroke, need to avoid blood thinners such as NSAIDs.

Treatments for Hemorrhagic Stroke

Emergency care in a hospital is needed right away.
Blood pressure medicine to lower pressure and prevent more bleeding.
Surgery may be needed to:
- Stop the bleeding
- Remove blood from the brain
- Repair the damaged blood vessel
Rehabilitation therapy (physical, occupational, or speech therapy) to help regain lost skills.

When to Call Your Home Health Nurse

Call your home health nurse or doctor if:

You feel more confused, dizzy, or weak than usual.
You are having trouble speaking or thinking clearly.
You have numbness or tingling that wasn’t there before.
You fall or hurt your head.
Your blood pressure is too high or too low.
You forget or miss your medicine doses.

When to Go to the Emergency Room (Call 911)

Sudden, severe headache
Trouble speaking, seeing, or walking
Numbness or weakness in the face, arms, or legs
Loss of consciousness (someone is unresponsive or hard to wake up)
Seizures
Sudden confusion or strange behavior

Don’t wait — every second matters!

✅ PATIENT HOMEWORK/ASSESSMENT: True or False (20 Statements) Please correct False Statements.

True or False: A hemorrhagic stroke happens when a blood vessel in the brain breaks and bleeds.
True or False: The most common cause of a hemorrhagic stroke is high blood pressure.
True or False: All strokes are caused by blood clots.
True or False: A sudden, very bad headache can be a sign of a hemorrhagic stroke.
True or False: It's okay to wait a few hours before calling for help if you think someone is having a stroke.
True or False: Taking your blood pressure medicine can help prevent a stroke.
True or False: Cocaine use can lead to a hemorrhagic stroke.
True or False: A hemorrhagic stroke can sometimes cause a person to pass out.
True or False: You should eat salty snacks after a stroke to help your brain recover.
True or False: People with hemorrhagic strokes may need surgery to fix the bleeding.
True or False: Calling 911 is the right thing to do if someone suddenly can't talk or move.
True or False: Blood thinners can sometimes make bleeding in the brain worse.
True or False: Drinking alcohol helps lower your risk of hemorrhagic stroke.
True or False: Speech therapy may help some people after a stroke.
True or False: You should tell your nurse if you start feeling more dizzy than usual.
True or False: High blood pressure is not dangerous.
True or False: You should avoid falls, especially if you're on blood thinners.
True or False: A sudden change in vision can be a warning sign of a stroke.
True or False: After a hemorrhagic stroke, people often need rehabilitation therapy.
True or False: It's okay to stop taking blood pressure medicine once you feel better.

ASSESSMENT of WELL-BEING INDIVIDUALIZED PATIENT HOMEWORK

Symptom Identification:

Have you experienced sudden severe headache, vision changes, or weakness/numbness on one side of your body recently?

Activity Impact/SAFETY:

Are you having difficulty walking, maintaining balance, or performing daily activities safely since your stroke?

Treatment Adherence:

Have you been taking your prescribed medications, such as blood pressure medicine or other stroke-related treatments, exactly as directed by your doctor?

Preventive Measures:

What steps are you taking to control your blood pressure, avoid smoking, and follow your doctor’s instructions to help prevent another hemorrhagic stroke?

📘 Answer Key with Explanations

True – Hemorrhagic strokes are caused by bleeding in the brain from a broken blood vessel.
True – High blood pressure is the number one cause of this kind of stroke.
False – Some strokes are caused by clots (ischemic), but hemorrhagic strokes are caused by bleeding.
True – A sudden, severe headache is a warning sign of a hemorrhagic stroke.
False – You must call 911 immediately if someone shows stroke signs.
True – Keeping blood pressure under control helps prevent strokes.
True – Drugs like cocaine can raise blood pressure and cause blood vessels to burst.
True – A hemorrhagic stroke can cause unconsciousness or fainting.
False – Salty snacks raise blood pressure, which can make things worse.
True – Some people may need surgery to stop the bleeding or remove blood from the brain.
True – If someone can’t talk or move suddenly, call 911 right away.
True – Blood thinners can increase the risk of bleeding, especially in the brain.
False – Alcohol can raise blood pressure and should be avoided.
True – Speech therapy can help people who have trouble speaking after a stroke.
True – New or worse dizziness should be reported to your nurse or doctor.
False – High blood pressure is dangerous and a major risk factor for strokes.
True – Falls can be very serious, especially if the person is taking blood thinners.
True – Vision problems are one of the early warning signs of a stroke.
True – Many people need rehab to help them recover after a stroke.
False – You should never stop taking your blood pressure medicine unless your doctor tells you to.