Hypertensive crisis: What are the symptoms?

Answer Section

A hypertensive crisis is a sudden, severe increase in blood pressure. The blood pressure reading is 180/120 millimeters of mercury (mm Hg) or greater. A hypertensive crisis is a medical emergency. It can lead to a heart attack, stroke or other life-threatening health problems. Seek emergency medical help for anyone with these blood pressure numbers.

Severely high blood pressure can damage blood vessels and body organs, including the:

• Heart.
• Brain.
• Kidneys.
• Eyes.

During a hypertensive crisis, the heart may not be able to pump blood as well as it should.

There are two types of hypertensive crises.

• 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 medicine.
• Suddenly stopping certain heart medicines, including beta blockers.
• Medicine interactions.
• Tumor of the adrenal gland, called a pheochromocytoma.

Symptoms of a hypertensive crisis may include:

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

If you get a very high blood pressure reading at home and don't have any symptoms, relax for a few minutes. Then check your blood pressure again. If it's still very high, seek medical care.

Call 911 or emergency medical services if your blood pressure is 180/120 mm Hg or greater and you have chest pain, shortness of breath, or symptoms of stroke. Stroke symptoms include:

• Numbness or tingling.
• Loss of feeling in the face, arm or leg, often on just one side of the body.
• Trouble walking.
• Trouble speaking.
• Changes in vision.

Treatment for a hypertensive crisis may include a hospital stay to watch for organ damage. Medicines to lower blood pressure are given by mouth or IV.