When Is Blood Pressure an Emergency?

Author: Dr. Vrolijk   |   Updated: August 20, 2025   |   Disclaimer   |   Review Process   |   References

Author: Dr. Vrolijk   

Updated: August 20, 2025   

Disclaimer   |   Review Process   |   References

If you have chest pain, trouble moving, vision changes, or any other concerning symptoms (see the list below), go to the nearest emergency room or call 911. If your doctor gave you specific instructions about what to do when your blood pressure is high, follow those instructions.

If you feel like your normal self but got a high blood pressure reading, this page can help you figure out what to do next. A high number can be scary, but it doesn’t always need emergency care. A lot of the time, you can work with your primary care physician (PCP) to figure out a plan for your blood pressure. 

This guide helps you understand your numbers, what they might mean, and what you can do. 

When to Go to the ER for Blood Pressure

If you feel normal, find your range:

Call your doctor today

  • Don't wait to get help if you start feeling any concerning symptoms
  • Continue taking your blood pressure medicines (if prescribed)
Learn when high BP needs emergency care

Message or call your doctor

  • Continue taking your blood pressure
  • Keep taking your blood pressure medicines (if prescribed)
  • Don't wait to get help if you start feeling any concerning symptoms
Learn about high BP without symptoms

Message or call your doctor

  • Continue taking your blood pressure
  • Keep taking your blood pressure medicines (if prescribed)
  • Don't wait to get help if you start feeling any concerning symptoms
Learn about low blood pressure

If You Are Pregnant

Blood pressure over 140/90 needs attention during pregnancy. Very high blood pressure (over 160/110) needs urgent attention. Learn more about pregnancy & blood pressure

More about High BP
More about Low BP

How Do I Lower My Blood Pressure Right Now?

  • Sit quietly and breathe slowly for 10-15 minutes
  • If you’re anxious or upset, do something relaxing or try our quick tools for anxiety
  • Avoid caffeine and smoking
  • Make sure you’re taking your blood pressure correctly (see our page How to Take Your Blood Pressure)
  • If prescribed a medication for blood pressure, check to see if you took it today
  • DON’T take extra doses without talking to your doctor first

Important: There’s no safe way to quickly lower blood pressure at home. These steps help you relax or take a better measurement.

Learn How to Lower Your Blood Pressure

What Is a High Blood Pressure Crisis?

A blood pressure crisis happens when you have very high blood pressure AND damage to your body. The way you know if there’s damage is if you feel different, like chest pain or trouble breathing.

There isn’t one stroke level blood pressure or high blood pressure crisis number. Everyone’s body is different. But you are more likely to have a stroke when blood pressure is very high. 
180/110 140/90 120/80 High risk Higher risk Some risk Low risk Higher number = Higher risk

What Do My Readings Mean?

This chart is for learning only. Always talk to your doctor about your blood pressure.

✷ Everyone older than 13 has the same blood pressure ranges → Learn more about age & blood pressure

🚨 If You Are Pregnant

Blood pressure over 140/90 needs attention during pregnancy. Very high blood pressure (over 160/110) needs urgent attention. → Learn more about pregnancy & blood pressure

Understanding Your Numbers

High Blood Pressure but Feel Fine

We call blood pressure that’s high but isn’t changing how you feel hypertensive urgency or asymptomatic hypertension.
  • Asymptomatic hypertension means:
    • You feel normal (asymptomatic)
    • You should see a doctor soon
    • It’s serious, but not an emergency yet
What to Do When You Feel Fine

Quick Answers

There are no safe rapid methods you can do at home. Even in the hospital, doctors are careful about lowering blood pressure too fast. If you’re anxious, try slow breathing and sitting quietly. Do something that you find relaxing. Never stop prescribed medications. High readings from stress often improve with rest.

→ Read more on why high blood pressure takes time to fix

This is Stage 2 hypertension. Blood pressure this high makes health problems like stroke or heart attack more likely to happen. If you feel normal, call your doctor today. If you have concerning symptoms like chest pain, go to the ER.

→ Read more about when high blood pressure is an emergency

A hypertensive crisis or emergency is when very high blood pressure damages your organs. Doctors usually worry about this when blood pressure is 180/110 or higher. Your kidneys are often damaged first. This is why your doctor might want a blood test to check them.

As long as you feel normal, sit quietly for 5 minutes, then retake your reading. Don’t panic – one high reading doesn’t mean immediate danger.

If you don’t feel well or have concerning symptoms, get help. 

→ Read more about when high blood pressure is an emergency

Usually 180/110 or higher means you should contact your doctor today. If you have concerning symptoms, you should go to the emergency room or call 911 no matter what your blood pressure is.

Related Articles

High Blood Pressure vs Hypertension

Learn the difference between a high reading and hypertension, and why you need multiple readings to know which one you have.

Taking Your Blood Pressuree while Anxious

Step-by-step strategy to overcome anxiety about taking your blood pressure.

Blood Pressure Medicine Types

Learn about the different types of blood pressure medicines, how they work, and what you can do for common side effects.

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2017 ACC/AHA/AAPA/ABC/ACPM/AGS/APhA/ASH/ASPC/NMA/PCNA Guideline for the Prevention, Detection, Evaluation, and Management of High Blood Pressure in Adults: A Report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Task Force on Clinical Practice Guidelines | JACC. Accessed July 11, 2025. 

Basile J, Bloch M. Overview of hypertension in adults. UpToDate. Published online October 18, 2024. Accessed July 11, 2025. 

Effects of different regimens to lower blood pressure on major cardiovascular events in older and younger adults: meta-analysis of randomised trials. BMJ. 2008;336(7653):1121-1123.

Elliot W, Varon J. Evaluation and Treatment of Hypertensive Emergencies in Adults. UpToDate. Published online June 25, 2025. Accessed July 11, 2025. 

Flynn JT, Kaelber DC, Baker-Smith CM, et al. Clinical Practice Guideline for Screening and Management of High Blood Pressure in Children and Adolescents. Pediatrics. 2017;140(3):e20171904.

Mann J, Flack J. Hypertension in adults: Initial drug therapy. UpToDate. Published online June 25, 2025. Accessed July 11, 2025. 

Varon J, Elliot W. Management of severe asymptomatic hypertension (hypertensive urgencies) in adults. UpToDate. Published online October 18, 2023. Accessed July 11, 2025.

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