Call 911 anytime you think you may need emergency care. This may mean having symptoms that suggest that your blood pressure is causing a serious heart or blood vessel problem. Your blood pressure may be over 180/110.

For example, call 911 if:

• You have symptoms of a heart attack. These may include:
  • Chest pain or pressure, or a strange feeling in the chest.
  • Sweating.
  • Shortness of breath.
  • Nausea or vomiting.
  • Pain, pressure, or a strange feeling in the back, neck, jaw, or upper belly or in one or both shoulders or arms.
  • Light-headedness or sudden weakness.
  • A fast or irregular heartbeat.
• You have symptoms of a stroke. These may include:
  • Sudden numbness, tingling, weakness, or loss of movement in your face, arm, or leg, especially on only one side of your body.
  • Sudden vision changes.
  • Sudden trouble speaking.
  • Sudden confusion or trouble understanding simple statements.
  • Sudden problems with walking or balance.
  • A sudden, severe headache that is different from past headaches.
• You have severe back or belly pain.

Do not wait until your blood pressure comes down on its own. Get help right away.

Call your doctor or nurse advice line now or seek immediate medical care if:

• Your blood pressure is much higher than normal (such as 180/110 or higher), but you don't have symptoms.
• You think high blood pressure is causing symptoms, such as:
  • Severe headache.
  • Blurry vision.

Watch closely for changes in your health, and be sure to contact your doctor or nurse advice line if:

• Your blood pressure measures higher than your doctor recommends at least 2 times. That means the top number is higher or the bottom number is higher, or both.
• You think you may be having side effects from your blood pressure medicine.