WHAT IS

HYPERTENSIVE
CRISIS???
 HYPERTENSIVE CRISIS

• Severe increase in blood pressure

• Can lean to stroke
• Systolic (top number) of 180 mm Hg of higher
• Diastolic (bottom number) of 120 mm Hg or
higher
 180/120
IF YOU HAVE THESE
BP 180/100
160/120
200/140
YOU HAVE A HYPERTENSIVE
CRISIS!!!
During a HYPERTENSIVE CRISIS,
the blood vessels become inflamed
and may leak fluid or blood.
As a result, the heart may not be able to
pump blood effectively.
 CAUSES OF HYPERTENSIVE EMERGENCY
• Forgetting to take blood pressure medication
• Stroke
• Heart attack
• Heart failure
• Kidney failure
• Rupture of your body’s main artery (aorta)
• Interaction between medication
• Convulsion during pregnancy (eclampsia)
 2 CATEGORIES OF HYPERTENSIVE
CRISIS
• Urgent hypertensive crisis:
• The blood pressure is extremely high but your doctor doesn’t
suspect you have any damage to your organs.
• Emergency hypertensive crisis:
• The blood pressure is extremely high and has caused damage to
your organs.
• Life - threatening
 LIFE-THREATENING
SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS
• Severe chest pain
• Severe headache, accompanied by confusion and blurred vision
• Nausea and Vomiting
• Severe anxiety
• Shortness of breath
• Seizures
• Unresponsiveness
If you experience a severe increase in your blood
pressure,
seek immediate medical attention.

Treatment for hypertensive crisis may include

hospitalization.