What is the cause of a hemorrhagic CVA?

A hemorrhagic cerebrovascular accident (CVA), commonly referred to as a stroke caused by bleeding in the brain, occurs when a blood vessel ruptures, leading to bleeding within or surrounding the brain. This sudden bleeding can increase pressure in the affected area, damaging brain tissue and disrupting normal brain function. The actual cause of this condition can be multifactorial, including factors such as hypertension, aneurysms, or trauma, but the defining characteristic of a hemorrhagic stroke is the presence of blood leaking into the brain tissue itself.

Understanding this distinction is crucial in differentiating between types of strokes, as treatment approaches will vary significantly based on whether a stroke is hemorrhagic or ischemic (caused by blockage). The other options describe scenarios that relate to different medical conditions: sudden blockage of a blood vessel refers to ischemic strokes, temporary deprivation of blood flow suggests transient ischemic attack (TIA), and infection of the meninges pertains to meningitis, thereby illustrating the importance of correctly identifying the nature of the hemorrhagic CVA.