hypertensive crisis (redirected from Hypertensive emergency)

hypertensive crisis

Etymology: Gk, hyper + L, tendere, to stretch; Gk, krisi, turning point

a sudden, severe increase in blood pressure to a level exceeding 200/120 mm Hg, occurring most frequently in individuals who have untreated hypertension or who have stopped taking prescribed antihypertensive medication. See also malignant hypertension.

observations Characteristic signs include severe headache, vertigo, diplopia, tinnitus, photophobia, nosebleed, twitching of muscles, tachycardia or other cardiac arrhythmia, distended neck veins, narrowed pulse pressure, nausea, and vomiting. The patient may be confused, irritable, or stuporous, and the condition may lead to convulsions, coma, myocardial infarction, renal failure, cardiac arrest, or stroke.

interventions Treatment consists of antihypertensive drugs and diuretics; anticonvulsants, sedatives, and antiemetics may be used if indicated. The patient is usually placed on a cardiac monitor in a bed with the head elevated and is maintained in a quiet environment. The diet is low in calories, and sodium and fluids may be restricted. As the patient's condition improves, progressive ambulation is permitted, but the patient is carefully observed for symptoms of orthostatic hypotension, such as pallor, diaphoresis, or faintness, which may be side effects of the antihypertensive drugs.

nursing considerations The major concerns of the nurse are to observe and report any sign of hypotension. In preparation for discharge the nurse advises the patient to recognize symptoms of any dramatic increase or decrease in blood pressure, to adhere to the prescribed diet and medication, and to avoid fatigue, heavy lifting, use of tobacco products, and stressful situations.

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hypertensive crisis

A rare clinical event characterized by a severe and/or acutely ↑ diastolic BP > 120-130 mm Hg; an HC is a medical emergency if accompanied by rapid or progressive CNS–encephalopathy, infarction or hemorrhage, cardiovascular–myocardial ischemia, infarction, aortic dissection, pulmonary edema, and renal deterioration, eclampsia or microangiopathic hemolytic anemia Etiologic factors Pre-existing chronic HTN; renovascular HTN; renal parenchymal disease; scleroderma and collagen vascular disease; drugs–sympathomimetics, tricyclic antidepressants, withdrawal from antihypertensives, recreational–eg, crack cocaine; spinal cord syndromes; pheochromocytoma Clinical Severe headache, transient blindness, vomiting, rapid deterioration of renal function Complications Acute end-organ damage–eg, myocardial ischemia/infarction, renal failure, aortic dissection, stage 3 or 4 hypertensive retinopathy Treatment Organ-targeted therapy with CCBs, Lobetalol, loop diuretics, nitroglycerin, nitroprusside Prognosis Untreated 5-yr mortality is 100%