Content:
Overview
Content on this page:
Overview
Content on this page:
Overview
Overview
Hypertensive emergency is a severely elevated blood pressure (BP) (systolic BP ≥180 mmHg and/or diastolic BP ≥120 mmHg) that is complicated by progressive or worsening target organ damage (TOD) of the central nervous system, heart, kidneys, lungs, large arteries, retina or the gravid uterus.
While hypertensive urgency refers to patients with severely elevated BP (≥180 mmHg/110-120 mmHg) but with no evidence of acute end-organ damage, usually asymptomatic with a mild headache.
Patients may present with hypertensive encephalopathy, aortic dissection, renal failure, acute myocardial infarction, cardiac decompensation, increased intracranial pressure (ICP), and in pregnant patients, eclampsia or preeclampsia.
The clinical differentiation between hypertensive emergencies and urgencies is dependent on the presence of TOD rather than the level of BP.
Primary objectives are to reverse or reduce TOD and to begin appropriate antihypertensive therapy.
For further information regarding the management of Hypertensive Crisis, please refer to Disease Algorithm for the Treatment Guideline.
While hypertensive urgency refers to patients with severely elevated BP (≥180 mmHg/110-120 mmHg) but with no evidence of acute end-organ damage, usually asymptomatic with a mild headache.
Patients may present with hypertensive encephalopathy, aortic dissection, renal failure, acute myocardial infarction, cardiac decompensation, increased intracranial pressure (ICP), and in pregnant patients, eclampsia or preeclampsia.
The clinical differentiation between hypertensive emergencies and urgencies is dependent on the presence of TOD rather than the level of BP.
Primary objectives are to reverse or reduce TOD and to begin appropriate antihypertensive therapy.
For further information regarding the management of Hypertensive Crisis, please refer to Disease Algorithm for the Treatment Guideline.