What Causes Thunderclap Headaches?

Blood Vessel Rupture In The Brain

A blood vessel rupture in the brain might cause a thunderclap headache because of the sudden bleeding, irritation, and increased pressure. This condition is commonly called a brain hemorrhage. It's a kind of stroke that occurs when one of the brain's arteries bursts, causing the surrounding tissues to bleed, which can lead to brain cell death. About thirteen percent of strokes can be attributed to a brain hemorrhage. Though there's no way to completely predict who might suffer from a brain hemorrhage, certain individuals are at a higher risk. High blood pressure can cause the walls of blood vessels to weaken over time, and abnormalities in the blood vessels can also play a part. Amyloid angiopathy is a blood vessel abnormality that often occurs alongside high blood pressure and aging. Bleeding disorders, liver disease that causes increased bleeding, and head trauma can all increase an individual's chances of hemorrhage. An aneurysm also increases the risk. Aneurysms occur when the wall of a blood vessel weakens and then swells. If the aneurysm bursts, blood floods the brain and causes a stroke.