High Blood Pressure Emergencies
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High Blood Pressure Emergencies
140 over 90. " пїЅ When people have a high blood pressure emergency, their blood pressure is usually 180 over 120" or higher. пїЅ пїЅ
Other terms doctors might use for a high blood pressure emergency are "hypertensive emergency" or "malignant hypertension. " пїЅ пїЅ пїЅ
Sometimes, a person's blood pressure is much higher than normal, but it hasn't damaged any organs. Doctors call this "hypertensive urgency. " пїЅ Hypertensive urgency is not usually treated the same as a high blood pressure emergency. пїЅ пїЅ
What are the symptoms of a high blood pressure emergency? " пїЅ The symptoms depend on the organ or organs affected. They can include: пїЅ пїЅ
Should I see a doctor or nurse? " пїЅ Yes. Call your doctor or nurse right away if you have any of the symptoms listed above, especially if you know that you have high blood pressure. пїЅ пїЅ
Will I need tests? " пїЅ Yes. Your doctor or nurse will ask about your symptoms, do an exam, and check your blood pressure. He or she might use a special light to look in the back of your eyes. пїЅ пїЅ
Your doctor will also do tests to check how serious your condition is. Tests can include: пїЅ пїЅ
How is a high blood pressure emergency treated? " пїЅ A high blood pressure emergency is treated in the hospital. Your doctor will give you medicines to lower your blood pressure quickly. These medicines usually go into your vein through a tube called an "IV. " пїЅ пїЅ пїЅ
Your doctor will also treat any problems caused by your very high blood pressure, if they can be treated. пїЅ пїЅ
People who have a high blood pressure emergency usually need long-term treatment to keep their blood pressure under control. This usually includes: пїЅ пїЅ
All topics are updated as new evidence becomes available and our peer review process is complete. пїЅ пїЅ
This topic retrieved from UpToDate on: Nov 04, 2014. пїЅ пїЅ
Release: 22.8 - C22.208 пїЅ пїЅ
пїЅ пїЅ 2014 UpToDate, Inc. All rights reserved. пїЅ пїЅ
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.The use of UpToDate content is governed by the UpToDate Terms of Use. пїЅ пїЅ2014 UpToDate, Inc. All rights reserved. пїЅ пїЅ
- Blurry vision or other vision changes
- Headache
- Nausea or vomiting
- Confusion
- Passing out or seizures " пїЅ Seizures are waves of abnormal electrical activity in the brain that can make people move or behave strangely.
- Weakness or numbness on one side of the body, or in one arm or leg
- Difficulty talking
- Trouble breathing
- Chest pain
- Pain in the upper back or between the shoulders
- Urine that is brown or bloody
- Pain when urinating
- Pain in the lower back or on the side of the body
- Blood tests
- Urine tests
- A chest X-ray
- A CT scan or other imaging test of your brain " пїЅ Imaging tests create pictures of the inside of the body.
- A CT scan or other imaging test of your chest
- An ECG (also called an "electrocardiogram" or "EKG") " пїЅ This test measures the electrical activity in your heart (figure 1).
- Taking medicines
- Following a low-salt diet that includes a lot of fruits and vegetables
- Losing weight (if you are overweight)
- Getting regular exercise
Person having an ECG
This drawing shows a man having an ECG (also called an electrocardiogram or EKG). He has patches, called "electrodes," stuck onto his chest, arms, and legs. Wires run from the electrodes to the ECG machine. An ECG measures the electrical activity in the heart.
Graphic 53145 Version 2.0
Person having an ECG
This drawing shows a man having an ECG (also called an electrocardiogram or EKG). He has patches, called "electrodes," stuck onto his chest, arms, and legs. Wires run from the electrodes to the ECG machine. An ECG measures the electrical activity in the heart.
Graphic 53145 Version 2.0