Hypertensive emergency (blood pressure)

Chest | Emergency Medicine | Hypertensive emergency (blood pressure) (Disease)


Description

A hypertensive crisis is a severe increase in blood pressure that can lead to a stroke. Extremely high blood pressure - a systolic blood pressure of 180 millimeters of mercury (mm Hg) or higher or a diastolic (bottom number) blood pressure of 120 mm Hg or higher - damages blood vessels. They become inflamed and may leak fluid or blood. As a result, the heart may not be able to pump blood effectively.

Signs and symptoms of a hypertensive crisis that may be life-threatening may include: severe chest pain, severe headache, accompanied by confusion and blurred vision, nausea and vomiting, severe anxiety, shortness of breath, seizures, unresponsiveness.

Causes and Risk factors

Causes of a hypertensive emergency include: forgetting to take your blood pressure medication, stroke, heart attack, heart failure, kidney failure, rupture of your bodys main artery (aorta), interaction between medications, convulsions during pregnancy (eclampsia).

A hypertensive crisis is divided into two categories: urgent and emergency. In an urgent hypertensive crisis, your blood pressure is extremely high, but your doctor doesnt suspect you have any damage to your organs. In an emergency hypertensive crisis, your blood pressure is extremely high and has caused damage to your organs. An emergency hypertensive crisis can be associated with life-threatening complications.

Diagnosis and Treatment

Treatment for hypertensive crisis may include hospitalization for treatment with oral or intravenous (IV) medications. ...