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Symptoms vary depending on the extent of damage and the location of the bleed. Symptoms most commonly develop suddenly, without warning, or often during activity. They may occasionally develop in a stepwise, episodic manner or in a progressive manner. There is a rapid loss of function(s) on one side of the body. Some description of symptoms include:

Vision changes
- Any change in vision
- Decreased vision
Sensation changes
Movement changes
- Weakness of any body part
- Difficulty moving any body part
- Loss of fine motor skills
Difficulty speaking
Difficulty swallowing
Difficulty reading or writing
Loss of coordination
Loss of balance
Seizure or spell
Headache
- When lying flat
- May awaken from sleep
- Increases with change in position, bending, straining, coughing
Nausea, vomiting
Decreased consciousness
- Apathetic, withdrawn
- Sleepy, lethargic, somnolent, stuporous
- Unconscious, comatose

Signs and Tests

Neurologic examination may indicate increased intracerebral pressure and localized decreases in brain function. The specific pattern of function changes may indicate the location of the intracerebral hemorrhage.

Eye examination may show swelling of the optic nerve associated with increased pressure within the brain, or there may be changes in eye movement. Abnormal reflexes may be present, or there may be an abnormal extent of normal reflexes. The blood pressure is usually high.

Tests to determine the amount and cause of bleeding include: