What Are the Treatments for Hypertensive Emergencies?
A hypertensive emergency is any condition in which the patient is suffering from a significant increase in blood pressure that can be life-threatening if not treated. Any patient who develops a blood pressure greater than 180 mmHg systolic or 110 mmHg diastolic is probably suffering from a hypertensive emergency, according to the American Heart Association. Once blood pressure has risen to such high levels, it can damage organs such as the kidney, eye, heart and brain. Treatment for these emergencies focuses on controlling the high blood pressure and minimizing the risk of lethal side effects.
