A cerebral hemorrhage—often called a “bleeding stroke”—happens when a blood vessel in the brain bursts and spills blood into the surrounding tissue. Brain cells are damaged by the pressure of the clot and by the loss of normal blood flow. Symptoms usually start without warning and get worse within minutes to hours. The classic first sign is a sudden, severe headache that most people describe as the worst they have ever felt. Nausea and vomiting often follow. Weakness or numbness on one side of the body is common: the face may droop, the arm may drift downward, or the leg... Learn more