Is Bells Palsy associated with a stroke any?

Question

I had Bells Palsy in 2003 and I lost muscle control of the right side of my face for about 8 wks. I completely recovered for the most part. A bit of a lazy eye that only I can notice. This year I've been experiencing reoccuring muscle spasms in the right side of my face. Kinda like it wants to come back. I've also been diagnosed with high blood pressure and I'm on medication that hasn't lowered it past 177/114. I've been checking symtoms of a stroke and I seem to get all of them just not at the same time. I feel okay so could the Bells Palsy just trying to come back and I'm thinking it's a stroke? Or is it signs of a stroke? Do I call 911 even if I feel okay but experiencing like symptoms at that moment? My blood pressure has been high for at least 18 months

I'm 36 yrs old. 5'2" and I weigh about 135#. The highest my blood pressure has been is 202/158. I experience numbness in my right arm and hand I get blurred vision and slurred speech and it feels like my equal liberum is messed up at times the past couple days I'm getting a sharp pain in my right ear. When I had the Bells Palsy the muscles on the right side of my face didn't work. I had to tape my eye closed to sleep I couldn't smile right had to use a straw on my left side to drink anything.

Answer 1

Bell's palsy usually is indicated by complete paralysis of all of the branches of the facial nerve. Therefore, it includes not just a drooping around the mouth, but also the inability to close the affected eye or wrinkle the forehead. With a stroke, usually only the lower half of the face is affected. The two conditions are not related and are caused by totally different factors. Furthermore, if you have any symptoms in the arm or leg in terms of weakness or numbness, this is NOT related to Bell's Palsy.

However, your blood pressure is signicantly high and your physician should be made aware of this (if he is not already). If there is any doubt in your mind, get to the emergency room as safely as possible or have your physician paged right away. If it is a stroke, your best chances for recovery occur if you seek care within the first 90 minutes of the onset of your symptoms.

After reading your update: You definetely are having symptoms that are not related to Bell's palsy. This is nothing to second guess about...see someone right away.

Answer 2

1. If you have a history of Bell's Palsy, then it can be coming back. It does reoccur and for some people it doesn't go away.
IT is caused by problems with the trigeminal cranial nerve.
It is NOT caused by High Blood Pressure.

2. A stroke involves facial droop, and slurring of speech, and feeling a change in level of consciousness. It is a crisis. The faster someone with all those symptoms at once gets medical help the better. If your symptoms are comign and going then that isnt' a stroke.

3. You are very correct to worry about your Blood Pressure. You need different medications if you can't get it lower than 177/114. It is time for you to lose weight, get fit, and eat better. Also since your Bell's palsy is acting up it indicates that your stress level is too high in your life.
ACT before you have a stroke.

Answer 3

Bells Palsey is not associated with a stroke (an event where a blood clot or other obstruction or bleeding in the brain prevents oxygenated blood from getting to your brain.) nor is it oddly enough associated with bells either. Bells Palsey is thought to be an inflammation from a virus of the second branch of the facial nerve causing changes in your ability to control one sided facial expression and your eye lid.

High blood pressure is a risk factor for stroke and yours is decidedly high...it needs treatment. If your current regimen is not doing it then seek help to have it adjusted to control your blood pressure. You don't mention how old you are. If you are 93 and are having those pressures my suspicion for stroke is increased but if you are much younger, then less so.

If you think about it, if you are having the same symptoms as you did with your Bells Palsey a few years ago, what are the chances of having a stroke in the area of your brain that controls that exact place? Very, very little - especially if you are not having additional symptoms like entire right sided weakness.

Bottom line, stop worrying about stroke right now. Get that blood pressure better treated tomorrow and don't balk at taking your medications - they will help prevent kidney failure, heart attack, stroke and eye problems that untreated high blood pressure cause. Good luck

Answer 4

HI, i have had bells palsy since i was born,i now still have it at age 54. my blood pressure sometimes goves 227 over 127. i have had heart attacks as well as a brain tumor, i suffer alot of pain. my face has on control on the left side. my parents said thay the doctors forcepts to deliver me. as you can tell i have problems.