A hypertensive crisis is a condition in which a person's blood pressure increases to a dangerously high level. Extremely high blood pressure can damage blood vessels, causing them to become inflamed and leak blood or fluid. As a result, stroke and other life-threatening complications can occur, because the heart is unable to pump blood effectively. A hypertensive crisis falls into one of two categories, urgent or emergency, depending on how high the blood pressure is and the severity of symptoms.
Blood Pressure Levels of Hypertensive Crisis
A hypertensive crisis occurs, according to the American Heart Association, when the systolic blood pressure (top number) reaches 180 or higher, or when the diastolic pressure (bottom number) reaches 110 or higher. Blood pressure that reaches these extremely high levels can cause damage to vital organs such as the eyes, heart and brain. A person can have high blood pressure for years and experience no symptoms, but when levels are high enough to constitute a hypertensive crisis, symptoms may suddenly appear.
Symptoms of Urgent Hypertensive Crisis
An urgent hypertensive crisis exists, according to the Mayo Clinic, when your blood pressure is extremely high, but there is no suspected damage to your organs. Possible signs and symptoms of an urgent hypertensive crisis include a spike in blood pressure, severe headache, nosebleeds, shortness of breath and extreme anxiety.
Symptoms of Emergency Hypertensive Crisis
An emergency hypertensive crisis exists when your blood pressure is extremely high---often 220/140 or higher---and has already caused potentially dangerous damage to your organs. Symptoms that may indicate an emergency, as listed by the Cleveland Clinic, are loss of consciousness, memory loss, confusion, weakness and seizures. Others include chest pain, loss of vision, nausea and vomiting. An emergency hypertensive crisis can result in life-threatening conditions, including pulmonary edema (fluid in the lungs), swelling or bleeding in the brain, heart attack, stroke and tearing of the heart's main artery, the aorta. Damage to the eyes and kidneys may also occur.
Response to Symptoms
If your blood pressure reaches 180/110 or higher, the American Heart Association warns that you should seek immediate medical attention. Damage to organs can occur quickly if your blood pressure remains out of control. The recommendation is to call for emergency medical assistance as soon as symptoms appear. If emergency assistance isn't available, have someone drive you to the hospital.
