Which type of stroke typically results in sudden onset during strenuous activity?

The type of stroke that typically results in a sudden onset during strenuous activity is a subarachnoid hemorrhage. This kind of stroke involves bleeding in the space between the brain and the tissue covering it, often associated with the rupture of an aneurysm. Sudden physical exertion, such as during heavy lifting or vigorous exercise, can lead to elevated blood pressure and subsequently trigger the rupture of an aneurysm, resulting in a sudden onset of severe headache and other neurological symptoms.

In contrast, intracerebral hemorrhage may also occur suddenly but is more often linked to chronic hypertension than to acute physical activity. Thrombotic strokes usually develop more gradually, as they involve a clot that forms in the blood vessels in the brain, and lacunar strokes tend to develop over time due to small vessel disease affecting deep brain structures. These conditions do not typically present with the abrupt onset tied to strenuous activity that characterizes subarachnoid hemorrhage.