Have you ever had a spike in your blood pressure?

Yes. The worst was 5 years ago when I was 64. It turned out to be a stroke because of other effects. The examination that later took place indicated that I had previously been a victim of TIA's (mini strokes). These as a singular occurrence may not be drastic but the physician should be notified and results recorded. I think the doctor should have recommended aspirin rather than Tylenol but I don't know her other conditions.

After that stroke my Neurologist (thank God for Canadian health care) told me that anytime I have these symptoms to get to the hospital 911 works best ambulance can treat emergencies. Next time I had a spike (214 over 118) I called 911 and was rushed to emerge. After 6 hours the triage doctor suggested a cat scan. The scan discovered a blood clot on the brain. This clot actually dissolved on its own, but the hospital staff took a barrage of criticism from my neurologist for not performing scan sooner.

Since her pressure returned to normal the incident had passed and the emergency had passed. Likely (but a doctor will have to determine) it was a TIA and your friend has been given a warning from god. Slow down take it easy.

Good luck with your friend.

Sure, an upsetting thing could spike the blood pressure so one needs to stay calm or become calm. I've heard ice or cold baths not only bring down a stubborn fever but they also bring down the blood pressure if it stays high for a while. On the other hand caffeine or even eating too much could spike it. When I have to go to the doctor for my yearly checkup I hardly eat for two days and not only will my weight be down a few pounds but so will my blood pressure be. So sure tylenol will work for the headache. At least you know what the headache is from. But get her in for a checkup. There are agencies that do take people to the doctor but they charge. Our county has a transport that takes people to and from doctors offices and shopping. And there is a public transport as well that would come to the door at a cut cost. You need to sign on with both ahead of time. If your income is low or you have certain HMO's (not sure if all medicare cover that) you don't have to pay. Check it out.

I very seldom get a migraine headache, but when I do, it's always accompanied by high blood pressure and a sort of tunnel vision, usually when I've been under stress of some sort. Otherwise, my blood pressure remains normal. The last time I went to the doctor I made a point of asking. It just seemed to be something that came with the HBP and I'm a very nervous person, anyway. Hope your friend is feeling better. I have also found that if I feel the tunnel vision kicking in, if I take two or three aspirin ASAP, I won't get the headache. Luckily, as I said, they don't occur very frequently, which is good because aspirin makes my ears ring like crazy.

I think a headache is very normal after an emotional episode. The doctor's advice was right on. If the headache doesn't go away, however, she should go to the ER. Waiting until Wednesday is OK as long as her BP stays in a normal range.

This last year has been extremely stressful and I was at a conference where a lady from a well-being clinic told me to put my arm in a blood pressure monitor and she took it 4 times (which I thought was unusual)

It was 165 / 115, which is apparently high and she told me to see a doctor as soon as I could.

As it was a weekend and the doctors was closed I called NHS 24, spoke to a nurse and she made me an appointment to see a doctor 2 hours later

I went to see the doctor and he took my BP, said it was high and to ease off a bit with the working.

I made an appointment with my GP and saw him that week, he took my BP said it was high but said ' one swallow does not make a summer'. He also poked my stomach and said I needed to lose weight as this was not helping my BP.

He told me to come back in 2 weeks, see the nurse and have my BP taken and come back in a further 2 weeks if it was still up.

So went back and he said it was a bit high but the readings had came down, have to come back in January for a follow up to see all is OK.

Yes, it is 'normal' to have a headache after a spike of high blood pressure. Some people get nosebleeds from very high blood pressure too. If she starts to bleed from her nose, without the other symptoms call an ambulance.

If she notices any other sensations other than a 'sudden headache' such as being pale and feeling nauseous, feels dizzy not being able to understand what is said to her, her own speech not being coherent or she has numbness on her face, down one side of her body, can not keep her balance and is unable to walk; then call for an ambulance straight away to take her to Emergency. These are symptoms of a stroke.

No, it's not normal. Any spike in blood pressure over 139mmHg systolic and lasting more than 10 or 15 minutes should receive attention asap. It's a sign of possible stroke.

I have a big-time spike in BP every morning when I get up. No headache, tho. It all settles down after breakfast when I take my BP meds.

When people worry about money, or little things like the neighbors next door, they can have a soike in their blood pressure. You just have to learn how to block out all crap that irritates you.

I never have but is there a nurse hot line you can call. I'd listen to what they'd have to say and she could give her specific information regarding current medication, illnesses etc.