Is subarachnoid hemorrhage hereditary?

Written by Zhang Hui
Neurology
Updated on May 19, 2025
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Subarachnoid hemorrhage occurs due to the rupture of intracranial blood vessels and the subsequent leaking of blood into the subarachnoid space. In most cases, this condition is caused by the rupture of an aneurysm. This disease does not have a significant genetic predisposition, so there is no need for excessive worry. The common causes of this disease are primarily intracranial aneurysms, followed by vascular malformations. It should be noted that arteriosclerosis can also lead to the formation of aneurysms, and long-term smoking can also cause aneurysms. Subarachnoid hemorrhage often begins abruptly, and the patient might be engaged in some physical activity or experiencing fluctuating emotions when suddenly severe headache, nausea, vomiting, and even consciousness disturbances occur. It is essential to treat a subarachnoid hemorrhage as soon as possible.

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Written by Wang Li Bing
Intensive Care Medicine Department
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Subarachnoid hemorrhage headache causes

Subarachnoid hemorrhage commonly presents with clinical symptoms such as headache, reflex vomiting, and even consciousness disorders, seizures, etc. The main reasons for headaches caused by subarachnoid hemorrhage are, firstly, increased intracranial pressure, and secondly, impaired absorption of cerebrospinal fluid, leading to excessive accumulation in the subarachnoid space causing headaches. Additionally, blood entering the subarachnoid space can stimulate the meninges and toxic substances can also cause headaches. Therefore, patients should go to the hospital for a complete cranial CT examination and consult with the Department of Neurology or Neurosurgery.

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Written by Zhang Hui
Neurology
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Nursing Measures for Subarachnoid Hemorrhage

Subarachnoid hemorrhage is a rather dangerous disease that develops very quickly, causing severe headaches, nausea, vomiting in patients, and this disease has a high probability of bleeding, potentially causing some cerebral vasospasm, leading to secondary thrombus formation. Besides prompt treatment and identifying the cause, such as clipping an aneurysm, nursing measures are also very important. Common nursing measures mainly include: First, it is essential to educate the patient to stay in bed and rest absolutely, as premature activity may cause the aneurysm to rupture and rebleed. Second, the patient must be instructed to maintain smooth bowel movements and a stable emotional state to prevent increased intracranial pressure and rebleeding due to emotional excitement or constipation. Third, the patient should be encouraged to drink more water and be given sufficient fluids to prevent cerebral vasospasm and low perfusion effects. Other nursing measures include stabilizing the patient's mood and providing sedation when necessary.

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Written by Tang Bo
Neurology
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Does subarachnoid hemorrhage require surgery?

Whether subarachnoid hemorrhage requires surgery depends on the specific circumstances, as there are many causes of subarachnoid hemorrhage, commonly caused by aneurysms. Therefore, the decision to perform surgery is based on the size of the aneurysm and the amount of bleeding, as well as the patient’s overall condition to determine if they can tolerate surgery. Additionally, some subarachnoid hemorrhages may be caused by arteriovenous malformations or other reasons. The decision whether to opt for surgery or conservative treatment also depends on the amount of bleeding and the patient's symptoms, and the risk involved is relatively high.

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Written by Zhang Jin Chao
Neurosurgery
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Is it normal to have a fever with subarachnoid hemorrhage?

It is normal for patients with subarachnoid hemorrhage to develop a fever, but this must be assessed in conjunction with the patient’s body temperature and overall condition. Sometimes, the amount of bleeding in the subarachnoid space is small and may cause mild fever, mainly due to the irritation of the nerves by bloody cerebrospinal fluid. In other cases, when there is a lot of bleeding, it may cause high fever, possibly central fever, which requires specific measures to reduce the body temperature, such as pharmacotherapy, applying ice packs, or using hypothermia therapy devices. Additionally, some patients develop a fever three to five days after the subarachnoid hemorrhage, which might indicate a secondary infection, such as lung or urinary tract infections, necessitating anti-infection treatment.

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Written by Chen Yu Fei
Neurosurgery
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The difference between cerebral hemorrhage and subarachnoid hemorrhage

There is a significant difference between cerebral hemorrhage and subarachnoid hemorrhage. For subarachnoid hemorrhage, the specific causes are mainly divided into two types. The first cause is due to trauma, violent strikes, car accidents, or falls from heights, leading to localized vascular rupture and extensive subarachnoid hemorrhage. It generally presents as obvious high-density shadows in the ventricular system or cisterns. The occurrence of subarachnoid hemorrhage often leads to symptoms such as headache, dizziness, neck stiffness, and positive meningeal irritation signs. The other situation is spontaneous subarachnoid hemorrhage, most often due to intracranial aneurysms or arteriovenous malformations. Cerebral hemorrhage is primarily due to hypertensive cerebral hemorrhage, which is more likely to occur, mostly seen in the bilateral basal ganglia, presenting as localized high-density shadows.