4. Intracerebral Hemorrhage: A Dire Consequence of CAA
Intracerebral hemorrhage, a severe symptom associated with CAA, is a type of stroke resulting from bleeding within the brain. It’s a direct outcome of the condition’s vascular nature, wherein the amyloid-beta protein accumulation weakens the vessel walls.
When these weakened walls can no longer contain the blood pressure within them, they rupture, leading to blood seeping into the surrounding brain tissue. This is an acute medical emergency and one of the most serious complications related to CAA.
The onset of an intracerebral hemorrhage is usually quite sudden. Individuals might experience what is often described as the “worst headache of their life.” It isn’t a gradual build-up of discomfort, like a tension headache or migraine. Instead, the pain is immediate, intense, and can be terrifying to those experiencing it.
Apart from the severe headache, intracerebral hemorrhage may also present with other immediate and noticeable neurological signs. These can include a sudden onset of weakness or numbness on one side of the body, known as hemiparesis.
There may also be difficulty with speech, including slurred speech or problems understanding language, a condition known as aphasia. Other signs could involve sudden vision changes, including partial or total loss of vision, or difficulties with balance and coordination.
But perhaps one of the most important things to note is the immediate nature of these symptoms. Intracerebral hemorrhage is a sudden and dramatic event, causing a swift onset of symptoms. (4)
