How high does your blood pressure have to be to have a stroke??

Question

My friend's b/p was 232/110, I told her she could have had a stroke and she said, "well, it's been high like that before."

Answer 1

A stroke is caused when a blood vessel in the brain ruptures. Constant or continued high blood pressure causes the walls of the vessels to weaken, just like when you get an "egg" in a bike tire. A time or two of high blood pressure won't stroke you out, but the repeated pressure on the walls could cause a problem.

The other cause of stroke is when you have blockage to the vessels leading up to the brain. The reduction of blood causes the brain to be starved for oxygen and ultimately suffers for it.

Answer 2

Blood pressure only points to a problem-your friend may get a really bad headache form BP so high, but the problem is basically narrowed blood vessels. This causes the heart to have to pump harder to circulate the blood. She may have a stroke if a blood clot breaks loose from a narrowed blood vessel, or a piece of cholesterol breaks loose from a clogged vessel- At any rate, BP levels this high are dangerous, and she should be seen immediately by her MD or in the ER- this can be life threatening, and not to monkey with!! From an RN.....

Answer 3

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