Hypertensive crisis
Hypertensive crisis is a state in which blood pressure becomes so high that it is causing immediate danger and needs to be reduced rapidly. A person is said to be in a hypertensive crisis when his or her blood pressure is severely elevated and there are signs or symptoms of damage to the brain, heart, kidneys, or other organs.
Typically, a person in hypertensive crisis has a diastolic blood pressure (the lower number in a blood pressure reading) greater than 120 millimeters of mercury (mm Hg). In comparison, normal diastolic pressure for an adult is less than 79 mm Hg. Diastolic pressure refers to the pressure of blood in the artery when the heart relaxes between beats.
Quick-acting medications can be used to reduce blood pressure during hypertensive crisis.
| Author | Jeannette Curtis |
| Author | Caroline Rea, RN, BS, MS |
| Editor | Kathleen M. Ariss, MS |
| Editor | Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA |
| Associate Editor | Tracy Landauer |
| Associate Editor | Pat Truman |
| Primary Medical Reviewer | Patrice Burgess, MD - Family Medicine |
| Primary Medical Reviewer | Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine |
| Primary Medical Reviewer | Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine |
| Last Updated | May 25, 2007 |
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