Hypertensive crisis

See also: Hypertensive emergency and Hypertensive urgency
Hypertensive crisis
Other namesMalignant hypertension, accelerated hypertension
SpecialtyCardiology
SymptomsHeadache, dizziness, malaise, shortness of breath, some cases asymptomatic
ComplicationsHypertensive emergency
TreatmentGradual reduction of blood pressure
MedicationAntihypertensives

Severely elevated blood pressure (equal to or greater than 180 mmHg systolic or 120 mmHg diastolic) is referred to as a hypertensive crisis (sometimes termed malignant or accelerated hypertension), due to the high risk of complications. People with blood pressures in this range may have no symptoms, but are more likely to report headaches (22% of cases)[1] and dizziness than the general population.[2] Other symptoms accompanying a hypertensive crisis may include visual deterioration due to retinopathy, breathlessness due to heart failure, or a general feeling of malaise due to kidney failure.[3]

Most people with a hypertensive crisis are known to have elevated blood pressure, but additional triggers may have led to a sudden rise.[4]

  1. ^ Papadopoulos DP, Mourouzis I, Thomopoulos C, Makris T, Papademetriou V (December 2010). "Hypertension crisis". Blood Press. 19 (6): 328–36. doi:10.3109/08037051.2010.488052. PMID 20504242. S2CID 207471870.
  2. ^ Fisher ND, Williams GH (2005). "Hypertensive vascular disease". In Kasper DL, Braunwald E, Fauci AS, et al. (eds.). Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine (16th ed.). New York, NY: McGraw-Hill. pp. 1463–81. ISBN 978-0-07-139140-5.
  3. ^ O'Brien, Eoin; Beevers, D. G.; Lip, Gregory Y. H. (2007). ABC of hypertension. London: BMJ Books. ISBN 978-1-4051-3061-5.
  4. ^ Marik PE, Varon J (June 2007). "Hypertensive crises: challenges and management". Chest. 131 (6): 1949–62. doi:10.1378/chest.06-2490. PMID 17565029.