Subarachnoid haemorrhage

This table provides an overview of the NICE guidelines on the assessment and referral for individuals with potential subarachnoid haemorrhage, highlighting the significance of early detection and intervention. Please also refer to our chart on brain haemorrhage for a better understanding of this topic.

Topic	Key Points
Initial Assessment	- Urgent investigation is vital to confirm a SAH diagnosis, aiding early treatment to prevent further complications.
Unexplained Acute Severe Headache	- Maintain a high suspicion for SAH ⚠️ - Obtain a detailed history about the headache's onset and peak intensity.
Thunderclap Headache	- Recognize it as a sudden, severe headache, typically peaking within 1-5 minutes 🔴 - Although it can be associated with other conditions (e.g., migraine, cough, coitus, exertion), SAH should always be considered.
Signs & Symptoms of SAH	- Include neck pain/stiffness, photophobia, nausea/vomiting, new altered brain function symptoms (e.g., reduced consciousness, seizure, focal neurological deficit), and painful/limited neck flexion during an examination.
Witnessed Onset	- If a patient struggles to describe their symptoms (e.g., due to a learning disability, language problem, or altered consciousness), get a description from any witnesses without delaying referral.
Referrals Outside Acute Settings	👉 Directly refer individuals with suspected SAH seen outside of...

Try our Free Plan to get the full article.