Description
Severe elevation of blood pressure with acute damage of an organ system (usually the brain, heart and/or kidneys) and possibly permanent damage. To reverse the damage the blood pressure should be lowered aggressively over minutes to hours. Triggers include: not taking blood pressure medications, abruptly stopping a blood pressure medication, drugs abuse (cocaine, methamphetamine), severe elevation of thyroid hormone, and taking certain over the counter medications.
Symptoms
Chest pain, shortness of breath, headache, visual changes, confusion, weakness, fatigue, lethargy, decreased urine output.
Tests
Common tests used for diagnosis and treatment
Workup:
A history and physical exam will be performed with frequent measures of the blood pressure. Tests may be performed to identify the cause of the severe hypertension and to detect organ damage.
Tests:
Complete blood count (CBC), Comprehensive metabolic panel (CMP), CT Scan, Electrocardiogram (EKG), Troponin, X-ray
Specialists:
Cardiology, Pediatric Cardiology
Workup:
A history and physical exam will be performed with frequent measures of the blood pressure. Tests may be performed to identify the cause of the severe hypertension and to detect organ damage.
Tests:
Complete blood count (CBC), Comprehensive metabolic panel (CMP), CT Scan, Electrocardiogram (EKG), Troponin, X-ray
Specialists:
Cardiology, Pediatric Cardiology
Treatment
This condition is a medical emergency and requires immediate treatment including intravenous medications to reduce the blood pressure, cardiac monitoring, and hospitalization. Other treatments will depend on which organs are affected.