Cerebral hemorrhage, commonly known as a brain hemorrhage, occurs when a ruptured blood vessel in the brain leaks blood into the brain tissue. Multiple factors can cause cerebral hemorrhage, with hypertension being the most common. Chronic high blood pressure leads to arteriosclerosis, particularly in small arteries, increasing vascular fragility and reducing elasticity.When blood pressure surges sharply, it may rupture the vessel walls, causing cerebral hemorrhage. Both hypertension and arteriosclerosis are major contributors to cerebral infarction. Individuals who have experienced cerebral hemorrhage are also at high risk for cerebral infarction. Taking antiplatelet drugs like aspirin is the most important medication for preventing cerebral infarction. However, when patients face a risk of recurrent cerebral hemorrhage, doctors often require immediate discontinuation of aspirin, as continued use increases the risk of cerebral infarction.
Clinically, many patients ask: "If I've had a cerebral hemorrhage, does that mean I can no longer take aspirin?" Recent studies indicate that after cerebral hemorrhage patients stabilize, they can resume aspirin use without increasing the risk of recurrence. Moreover, aspirin inhibits platelet aggregation and prevents thrombus formation, thereby reducing the overall risk of stroke recurrence.Additionally, while low-dose aspirin (75–150 mg daily) may cause adverse reactions like gastrointestinal bleeding, its impact on cerebral hemorrhage is minimal.
The optimal timing for restarting medication remains a point of academic debate. Currently, clinicians generally advise patients to resume aspirin therapy 6 months or longer after the event, based on follow-up examination results.In summary, a history of intracerebral hemorrhage is not a contraindication for aspirin use. The timing for resuming antiplatelet therapy requires individualized assessment by a physician. In daily life, patients are advised to maintain regular routines, stay mentally relaxed, avoid overexertion, quit smoking and drinking, adopt a low-fat, low-salt diet, engage in appropriate exercise, take medications as prescribed, actively manage hypertension, and undergo regular follow-ups to prevent recurrence.