Guidelines for a Hypertensive Emergency
People with hypertension (high blood pressure) are at risk for a number of severe medical conditions such as chronic chest pain, heart attack and stroke. In addition to these risks, untreated hypertension can cause a hypertensive emergency, a sudden spike in blood pressure that causes organ damage and other severe problems.-
Symptoms
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According to the Cleveland Clinic's website, the first symptom of a hypertensive emergency is a blood pressure reading at or above 220 over 140. If your blood pressure has reached this level, it is possible there has been significant damage to your internal organs. In addition you would experience chest pain (angina), slurred or jumbled speech (dysarthria), suddenly waking up during sleep to urinate (nocturia), dizziness, weakness and mental confusion. If you experience any of these symptoms in combination with high blood pressure, you should seek medical treatment immediately.
Examination
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If you have a hypertensive emergency, medical professionals will run a series of tests to determine the extent of the damage caused by the emergency. The Cleveland Medical Clinic describes the procedure as first checking your blood pressure multiple times, then running exams to check for swelling in the brain, renal failure, blood blockage to the heart and other complications.
Treatment
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Initial treatment for a hypertensive emergency focuses on steadily reducing your blood pressure to prevent further internal injuries. According to the Cleveland Clinic's website, the gradual reduction of blood pressure is primarily accomplished through the administration of oral and/or intravenous medications. Although a hypertensive emergency is an extremely serious condition, the crisis is entirely preventable. If you have high blood pressure, make sure to take your medications as scheduled and monitor your blood pressure regularly. If you do not have high blood pressure, protect your health by eating a diet low in fat, sodium, and cholesterol, exercise regularly, quit smoking, and monitor your stress.
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