What’s a hypertensive crisis? If I notice a spike in my blood pressure, what should I do?

Answer From Francisco Lopez-Jimenez, M.D .

A hypertensive crisis is a sudden, severe increase in lineage pressure. The lineage imperativeness read is 180/120 millimeters of mercury ( millimeter Hg ) or greater. A hypertensive crisis is a aesculapian hand brake. It can lead to a kernel attack, solidus or other dangerous health problems.

sternly high blood imperativeness can damage blood vessels and body organs, including the kernel, mind, kidneys and eyes. During a hypertensive crisis, the center may not be able to pump lineage effectively .
hypertensive crises are grouped into two categories .

• Urgent hypertensive crisis. Blood pressure is 180/120 mm Hg or greater. There are no signs of organ damage.
• Emergency hypertensive crisis. Blood pressure is 180/120 mm Hg or greater. There is life-threatening damage to the body’s organs.

Causes of a hypertensive crisis include :

• Forgetting to take blood pressure medication
• Suddenly stopping certain heart medications, such as beta blockers
• Medication interactions
• Tumor of the adrenal gland (pheochromocytoma)

Symptoms of a hypertensive crisis may include :

• Anxiety
• Blurred vision
• Chest pain
• Confusion
• Nausea and vomiting
• Not responding to stimulation (unresponsiveness)
• Seizures
• Severe headache
• Shortness of breath

If you get a very high lineage blackmail learn at home and do n’t have any symptoms, relax for a few minutes. then check your blood press again. If it ‘s still very high, seek aesculapian wish .
Call 911 or emergency aesculapian services if your rake press is 180/120 millimeter Hg or greater and you have chest pain, shortness of breath, or symptoms of stroke. Stroke symptoms include apathy or prickling, perturb address, or changes in vision .
treatment for a hypertensive crisis may include a hospital stay to monitor for organ price. Medications to lower rake press are given by mouth or IV .
With
Francisco Lopez-Jimenez, M.D .

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1. Hypertensive crisis: When you should call 911 for high blood pressure. American Heart Association. https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/high-blood-pressure/understanding-blood-pressure-readings/hypertensive-crisis-when-you-should-call-911-for-high-blood-pressure. Accessed June 13, 2022.
2. Ferri FF. Hypertension. In: Ferri’s Clinical Advisor 2023. Elsevier; 2023. https://www.clinicalkey.com. Accessed July 15, 2022.
3. Elliott WJ. Evaluation and treatment of hypertensive emergencies in adults. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/search. Accessed June 14, 2022.
4. Varon J, et al. Management of severe asymptomatic hypertension (hypertensive urgencies) in adults. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/search. Accessed June 14, 2022.
5. Whelton PK, et al. 2017 ACC/AHA/AAPA/ABC/ACPM/AGS/APhA/ASH/ASPC/NMA/PCNA guideline for the prevention, detection, evaluation, and management of high blood pressure in adults: A report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Task Force on Clinical Practice Guidelines. Hypertension. 2018; doi:10.1161/HYP.0000000000000065.
6. Lopez-Jimenez F (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic. July 6, 2022.
7. Benenson I, et al. Risk factors for hypertensive crisis in adult patients: A systematic review. JBI Evidence Synthesis. 2021; doi:10.11124/JBIES-20-00243.

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