A person can have dangerously high readings while feeling perfectly normal.
High blood pressure does not mean a stroke will occur within a month, a week, or on any particular day. It is a risk factor that should be identified and managed over time.
Regular blood pressure checks are especially useful for people with a history of hypertension, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, or other stroke risk factors.
What to do: Have your blood pressure checked and follow medical advice if readings are consistently high. Take prescribed medication as directed, and do not stop treatment simply because you feel well.
If very high blood pressure occurs alongside chest pain, shortness of breath, confusion, or stroke-like symptoms, seek emergency assistance.
- An Irregular Heartbeat or Newly Recognized Atrial Fibrillation
Certain heart conditions can increase the risk of stroke.
One important example is atrial fibrillation, an irregular heart rhythm that can allow blood to pool in the heart and form clots. A clot can travel to the brain and block an artery.
