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Upland Today
By the People, for the People
Dr. Pimple Popper Suffered Stroke While Filming Show
Reality TV star Sandra Lee reveals part of her brain 'died' during medical emergency.
Apr. 14, 2026 at 6:35pm
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An X-ray view of the brain reveals the localized damage caused by Dr. Lee's stroke, a sobering reminder of the importance of managing high blood pressure.Upland TodayDr. Sandra Lee, also known as Dr. Pimple Popper, has opened up about suffering a stroke while filming her reality TV show. Lee, 55, said the stroke occurred at her dermatology practice in Upland, California, where she experienced symptoms like sweating, leg pain, and difficulty walking and speaking. An MRI confirmed she had an ischemic stroke, which caused part of her brain to die. Lee spent two months recovering with physical and occupational therapy before returning to work, though she says she still experiences some lingering effects.
Why it matters
Lee's stroke highlights the importance of managing high blood pressure and cholesterol, which were contributing factors in her case. Her openness about the experience also aims to destigmatize discussions around strokes, which can be seen as a sign of weakness in some cultures.
The details
According to Lee, the stroke happened while she was seeing patients at her practice. She initially thought she was having a 'hot flash' before noticing more serious symptoms like shooting pains in her leg and trouble walking. The next morning, Lee's father, also a dermatologist, urged her to go to the emergency room, where an MRI confirmed she had suffered an ischemic stroke. Lee spent two months recovering with physical and occupational therapy before returning to work in January, though she says she still experiences some lingering effects like a weaker grip in her left hand.
- The stroke occurred while Lee was filming season 2 of her Lifetime show 'Dr. Pimple Popper: Breaking Out'.
- Lee returned to work in January after a two-month recovery period.
The players
Dr. Sandra Lee
Also known as 'Dr. Pimple Popper', she is a 55-year-old dermatologist and reality TV star who suffered a stroke while filming her show.
Dr. May Kim-Tenser
Lee's neurologist at USC's Keck medical school, who explained that high blood pressure is the number one risk factor for strokes in patients aged 45 to 64.
What they’re saying
“What essentially happened is I had a part of my brain that died.”
— Dr. Sandra Lee
“The number one risk factor is high blood pressure. Almost a 15 percent increase in stroke prevalence among patients that are age 45 up to 64.”
— Dr. May Kim-Tenser, Neurologist
What’s next
Lee says she is focused on better managing her high blood pressure and cholesterol to prevent future health issues. She hopes her openness about the experience will encourage others to prioritize their own health and seek medical attention if they experience stroke-like symptoms.
The takeaway
Dr. Pimple Popper's stroke serves as a wake-up call about the importance of controlling high blood pressure and cholesterol, especially for busy professionals juggling demanding careers and high-stress lifestyles. Her story underscores the need to destigmatize discussions around strokes and prioritize self-care.
