Blood Pressure - Stroke issues

While there are many good tests to check for heart disease (EKG, echos, stress tests, etc.), is there any good tests to check for stroke risk, ie; are routine CAT scans of the brain a good check for stroke risk, or is there too much cost and/or radiation with doing something like that?..

Also, when do you generally start treatment for hypertension, when someones BP is over 140/90, or when it is over 120/80?...And which number is more important, systolic or diastolic?....

And, from my echo last year, EF was between 60-65%, is that good, is it a higher number the better for this measurement?...

Thanks

[Cleveland Clinic]

There aren't any useful screening tests for stroke.  Carotid US is the only one used now a days, however, this is usually only utilized in patients who are at risk for carotid disease such as smokers or pts with high cholesterol, or in patients who are having symptoms of ministokes or TIA's.  

Anything greater than 120/80 should be treated with a dietary modification (DASH diet) We don't start meds until 140/90 if the dietary modification doesn't work well.  Both numbers are very important and if any of them violate the limit, treatment is necassary.

60 to 65 is an excellent EF.  Can't go any higher than that.