Haemorrhagic Stroke

A haemorrhagic stroke happens when a blood vessel bleeds in or around the brain. The two main types are intracerebral haemorrhage (ICH) and subarachnoid haemorrhage (SAH). After emergency hospital care, many people need specialist neurorehabilitation to recover movement, speech, cognition and independence.

At The Royal Buckinghamshire Hospital, we provide consultant-led inpatient neurorehabilitation for adults following haemorrhagic stroke once medically stable.

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Symptoms

Call 999 immediately if you notice any stroke signs. Symptoms may include:

• Sudden weakness or numbness on one side of the body
• Speech problems or difficulty understanding
• Severe headache, often described as the worst ever (especially in SAH)
• Loss of vision or double vision
• Nausea, vomiting, neck stiffness or sensitivity to light
• Loss of balance, collapse or reduced consciousness

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Causes And Risk Factors

• High blood pressure (hypertension)
• Cerebral amyloid angiopathy (common in older adults)
• Aneurysm rupture (SAH) or arteriovenous malformation (AVM)
• Anticoagulant/antiplatelet medicines or clotting disorders
• Head injury
• Small vessel disease, smoking, heavy alcohol use

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Diagnosis And Acute Care

Diagnosis and urgent treatment are delivered in an acute hospital, typically using CT or MRI brain scans and specialist neurosurgical/neurology input. When ongoing difficulties remain after the acute phase, inpatient rehabilitation at Royal Bucks can help you continue recovery.

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Possible Complications

• Weakness, coordination and balance problems
• Aphasia (language), dysarthria (speech) and dysphagia (swallowing)
• Visual field loss or spatial neglect
• Cognitive changes (memory, attention, planning)
• Fatigue, low mood, anxiety
• Spasticity and shoulder pain
• Seizures (in some patients)
• Hydrocephalus (especially after SAH)

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Neurorehabilitation At The Royal Buckinghamshire Hospital

We deliver goal-oriented, multidisciplinary programmes tailored to each patient’s needs and stage of recovery.

Your Programme May Include

Neurophysiotherapy

• Gait re-education, balance and postural stability
• Upper-limb recovery, strength and endurance
• Falls prevention and safe transfers

Occupational Therapy

• Personal care and daily-living independence
• Upper-limb function, fine motor skills and one-handed techniques
• Fatigue management, cognitive strategies, home/environment adaptations

Speech & Language Therapy

• Aphasia therapy (speaking, understanding, reading, writing)
• Dysarthria strategies and voice work
• Swallow assessment with safe-eating guidance

Neuropsychology

• Mood, adjustment and coping skills
• Cognitive rehabilitation (attention, memory, executive functions)
• Family and carer education

Spasticity & Tone Management

• Positioning, stretching and splinting; onward medical referral where appropriate

Discharge Planning

• Home exercise programme, equipment recommendations
• Community therapy handover and return-to-work/role advice (where appropriate)

Explore Stroke Rehabilitation
Visit Our Rehabilitation Centre

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When To Consider Inpatient Rehab

• Ongoing mobility, balance or arm-hand difficulties after discharge from acute care
• Communication or swallowing problems limiting independence
• Significant fatigue, cognitive slowing or low confidence
• Need for co-ordinated input from multiple therapy disciplines
• Limited progress with outpatient therapy alone

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Living Well After Haemorrhagic Stroke

• Follow a structured therapy and activity plan with planned rests
• Work with your medical team to optimise blood pressure and vascular risk factors
• Stop smoking and review alcohol intake
• Maintain sleep, hydration and nutrition
• Involve family/carers in strategies learned during rehabilitation