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Malignant Hypertension Discharge Instructions


About this topic


Malignant hypertension is an illness where the pressure in your blood vessels is very high. The blood pressure is so high that it starts to harm organs of the body. This illness most often happens in people with kidney and blood vessel problems, and during pregnancy. ‚  
Doctors find this illness by taking your blood pressure and doing tests like blood tests, x-rays, and ECG. People with this illness need to be treated in a hospital. Doctors will work to lower the blood pressure. They will also want to find and treat the cause of the high blood pressure. ‚  


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What care is needed at home?


  • Ask your doctor what you need to do when you go home. Make sure you ask questions if you do not understand what the doctor says. This way you will know what you need to do.
  • Your doctor will give you drugs to lower your blood pressure and help with pain. Make sure to take all the drugs ordered by your doctor.
  • Avoid places that can make you angry and stressed.
  • Your doctor will teach you some ways to relax. Do them when you feel stressed.
  • Sit on the edge of the bed or chair. Take deep breaths before getting up from a sitting position. Move slowly. This may help keep you from feeling dizzy.
  • Learn how to take your blood pressure at home. Ask your doctor about the best tool for checking BP and how to use it.
  • You may need an oxygen tank at home to help with your breathing. Ask your doctor about oxygen tanks for home use.
  • You may need dialysis if your kidneys are not working well.

What follow-up care is needed?


  • Your condition needs close monitoring. Your doctor may ask you to make visits to the office to check on your progress. Be sure to keep these visits.
  • Your doctor will tell you if other tests are needed.
  • Your doctor may send you to a physical therapist for an exercise program. This will help keep your blood pressure normal.

What drugs may be needed?


The doctor may order drugs to: ‚  
  • Help with pain
  • Help with breathing

Will physical activity be limited?


You may have to limit your activity. Talk to your doctor about the right amount of activity for you. ‚  

What changes to diet are needed?


Ask your doctor if you need to be on a special diet or limit your fluids. ‚  

What problems could happen?


  • Mental changes
  • Stroke or heart attack
  • Brain damage
  • Kidney damage
  • Eye problems or blindness
  • Heart damage
  • Fluid in the lungs

What can be done to prevent this health problem?


  • Have your blood pressure checked often. This is very important if high blood pressure runs in your family.
  • Take your blood pressure drugs as ordered. Avoid missing any doses.
  • Eat a healthy diet. Avoid salty, fatty, and overly-sweet foods.

When do I need to call the doctor?


Activate the emergency medical system right away if you have signs of a heart attack or stroke. Call 911 in the United States or Canada. The sooner treatment begins, the better your chances for recovery. Call for emergency help right away if you have: ‚  
  • Signs of heart attack:
    • Chest pain
    • Trouble breathing
    • Fast heartbeat
    • Feeling dizzy
  • Signs of stroke:
    • Sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm, or leg, especially on one side of the body
    • Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding
    • Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes
    • Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination
    • Sudden severe headache with no known cause

Call your doctor if you have: ‚  
  • Changes in behavior
  • Coughing up blood
  • Bloody stool or vomit
  • You are not feeling better in 2 to 3 days or you are feeling worse

Teach Back: Helping You Understand


The Teach Back Method helps you understand the information we are giving you. The idea is simple. After talking with the staff, tell them in your own words what you were just told. This helps to make sure the staff has covered each thing clearly. It also helps to explain things that may have been a bit confusing. Before going home, make sure you are able to do these: ‚  
  • I can tell you about my condition.
  • I can tell you what I can do to help lower my blood pressure.
  • I can tell you what I will do if I have signs of a heart attack or stroke.

Where can I learn more?


American Heart Association ‚  
http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/Conditions/HighBloodPressure/AboutHighBloodPressure/Hypertensive-Crisis_UCM_301782_Article.jsp ‚  

Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer


This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚  

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