What
is Malignant
Hypertension
What is
malignant hypertension? How is it treated?
You may be somewhat
familiar with the risk factors involved with high blood pressure and
the treatments
that are often prescribed. Unless you or someone you know is
diagnosed with this
dangerous condition called malignant hypertension, you may have never
heard the term.
Well, this is a
relatively rare condition that occurs in only 1% of
people with high blood pressure. It is also known by names like
accelerated
hypertension and arteriolar nephrosclerosis.
In the case of
malignant hypertension, the blood pressure shoots up very high and is
accompanied by a swelling of the optic nerve behind the eye known as
the papilledema. If it is not treated right away, the risks of this
condition can include: brain
damage,
kidney
failure,
and even
death.
That is why it is
important to recognize the symptoms of this condition, particularly if
you already have hypertension, so that you can seek necessary medical
treatment immediately.
Symptoms
There are some
symptoms that include the following:
You might also
experience a change to your mental state that might be characterized as
confusion, restlessness,
fatigue or anxiety.
Other symptoms may
be nausea, weakness, shortness of
breath and seizures. If you
experience any of these symptoms, especially if you have
already been diagnosed with high blood pressure, you should call
9-1-1 or
get to a hospital emergency room immediately.
Treatment will
generally involve a hospital stay until the high blood pressure can be
brought under control. This is often done through medication at first,
and then switched over to an oral medication as the imminent danger
passes. When the condition is treated promptly using these procedures,
there is rarely any long term damage to organs that will result.
However, when left left untreated, it may cause:
- damage to the eyes
- brain
- kidneys
- heart
- blood vessels
This is why prompt
response and treatment is so imperative to a malignant high blood
pressure patient.
If you have high blood
pressure, it is important to stick with the treatment that is
prescribed by your doctor to ensure that malignant hypertension does
not ever occur. Your doctor will probably have you on medication that
will keep your blood pressure under control. It is important to take
that medication
as directed and for the rest of your life to manage your condition.
There is no cure for high blood pressure, but proper medication and
lifestyle changes can keep the numbers at a healthy reading so that you
don't have to worry about complications.
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