Which of the following is a potential cause of hemorrhagic brain attack?

• A. Hypertension
• B. Aneurysm
• C. Congenital vascular malformations
• D. All of the above

Answer: (D)

Hemorrhagic brain attacks come from conditions that cause blood vessels in the brain to rupture or bleed. Hypertension can weaken and rupture small penetrating arteries, leading to intracerebral hemorrhage in areas like the deep brain structures. An aneurysm, especially a berry aneurysm on arteries of the Circle of Willis, can rupture and cause a subarachnoid hemorrhage. Congenital vascular malformations, such as arteriovenous malformations or cavernous malformations, involve abnormal, fragile vessels that are prone to bleeds, producing either intracerebral or subarachnoid hemorrhage. Because each of these scenarios can initiate a bleeding event in the brain, every item listed is a potential cause of a hemorrhagic stroke.