Overview
- Sandra Lee, who was filming at her Upland, California clinic on November 20, felt a hot flash then developed left-side weakness and trouble speaking.
- An emergency MRI confirmed an ischemic stroke, which happens when a blocked artery cuts blood flow to part of the brain.
- She paused her show to start medication and physical therapy, and now reports near full recovery with some speech changes and mild left-side weakness.
- Lee cites unchecked blood pressure, high cholesterol, plus work stress from patients and TV production as likely factors.
- She disclosed the episode in a People interview ahead of a new U.S. season set to premiere April 20 on Lifetime, a timing that may amplify her warning about self-care.