Hypertension-Part 2


Diagnosis

Blood Pressure Measurement

Definitions (Circulation, 2025) MEDLINE]

  • Systolic Blood Pressure (SBP): first Korotkoff sound
  • Diastolic Blood Pressure (DBP): second Korotkoff sound
  • Pulse Pressure: SBP – DBP
  • Mean Arterial Pressure (MAP): DBP + 1/3 (pulse pressure)
    • Assumes a Normal Heart Rate
  • Mid-BP: (SBP + DBP)/2

Clinical Efficacy

  • Systematic Review and Network Meta-Analysis Studying Agreement Between Different Types of Blood Pressure Measurements (Ann Intern Med, 2025) [MEDLINE]: n = 40,022 (from 65 studies)
    • Compared with Research Office Systolic Blood Pressure Measurement, the Pooled Mean Differences from Corresponding Systolic Blood Pressures were 2.69 mm Hg (95% CI: -0.13 to 5.51 mm Hg) Higher for Convenient Office Blood Pressure Measurement (OBPM), 4.57 mm Hg (95% CI: 2.54 to 6.60 mm Hg) Lower for Automated Office Blood Pressure Measurement (OBPM), 4.59 mm Hg (95% CI: 2.83 to 6.34 mm Hg) Lower for Home Blood Pressure Measurement, 4.22 mm Hg (95% CI: 2.62 to 5.82 mm Hg) Lower for Daytime Ambulatory Blood Pressure Measurement (ABPM), 18.14 mm Hg (95% CI: 16.21 to 20.06 mm Hg) Lower for Nighttime Ambulatory Blood Pressure Measurement (ABPM), and 8.63 mm Hg (95% CI: 6.97 to 10.28 mm Hg) Lower for 24 Hour Ambulatory Blood Pressure Measurement (ABPM)
    • Differences Varied by Reference Research Office Blood Pressure Measurement (OBPM) Levels
      • Higher Reference Blood Pressure Levels are Associated with Larger Differences Between Research Office and Other Blood Pressure Measurement Methods
  • Study of the Effect of Systolic Blood Pressure Measurement Error on the Cost-Effectiveness of Intensive Blood Pressure Targets (Ann Intern Med, 2025) MEDLINE] For Systolic Blood Pressure Intervention Trial (SPRINT)-Eligible Patients at High Cardiovascular Risk (But without Diabetes or Prior Stroke) a Systolic Blood Pressure (SBP) Target <120 mm Hg Seems Cost-Effective Across Most Settings with Systolic Blood Pressure (SBP) Measurement Error Limitation There is Uncertainty in the Relationship Between Low Treated Systolic Blood Pressure (SBP) (For Example: <115 mm Hg) and Cardiovascular Risk

Recommendations-2017 ACC/AHA/AAPA/ABC/ACPM/AGS/APhA/ASH/ASPC/NMA/PCNA Guideline for the Prevention, Detection, Evaluation, and Management of High Blood Pressure in Adults (Circulation, 2018) [MEDLINE]

  • For Diagnosis and Management of Hypertension, Proper Methods are Recommended for Accurate Measurement and Documentation of Blood Pressure (Class of Recommendation: I, Level of Evidence: C-EO)
    • Step 1: Properly Prepare the Patient
      • Have the Patient Relax, Sitting in a Chair (Feet on Floor, Back Supported) for >5 min
      • Patient Should Avoid Caffeine, Exercise, and Smoking for ≥30 min Before Blood Pressure Measurement
      • Ensure patient has emptied his/her bladder
      • Neither the Patient Nor the Observer Should Talk During the Rest Period or During Blood Pressure Measurement
      • Remove All Clothing Covering the Location of Cuff Placement
      • Measurements Made While the Patient is Sitting or Lying on an Examining Table Do Not Fulfill These Criteria
    • Step 2: Use Proper Technique for Blood Pressure Measurements
      • Use a Blood Pressure Measurement Device Which Has Been Validated, and Ensure that the Device is Calibrated Periodically
      • Support the Patient’s Arm (Resting on a Desk)
      • Position the Middle of the Cuff on the Patient’s Upper Arm at the Level of the Right Atrium (the Midpoint of the Sternum)
      • Use the Correct Cuff Size, Such that the Bladder Encircles 80% of the Arm, and Note if a Larger or Smaller-than-Normal Cuff Size is Used
        • Arm Circumference 22–26 cm: small adult cuff
        • Arm Circumference 27-34 cm: adult cuff
        • Arm Circumference 35-44 cm: large adult cuff
        • Arm Circumference 45-52 cm: adult thigh cuff
      • Either the Stethoscope Diaphragm or Bell May Be Used for Auscultatory Readings
    • Step 3: Take the Proper Measurements Needed for Diagnosis and Treatment of Hypertension
      • At the First Visit, Record Blood Pressure in Both Arms
      • Use the Arm Which Gives the Higher Reading for Subsequent Readings
      • Separate Repeated Measurements by 1–2 min
      • For Auscultatory Determinations, Use a Palpated Estimate of Radial Pulse Obliteration Pressure to Estimate Systolic Blood Pressure (SBP)
      • Inflate the cuff 20–30 mm Hg above this level for an auscultatory Determination of the Blood Pressure Level
      • For Auscultatory Readings, Deflate the Cuff Pressure 2 mm Hg Per Second, and Listen for Korotkoff Sounds
    • Step 4: Properly Document Accurate Blood Pressure Readings
      • Record Systolic Blood Pressure (SBP) and Diastolic Blood Pressure (DBP)
      • If Using the Auscultatory Technique, Record Systolic Blood Pressure (SBP) and Diastolic Blood Pressure (DBP) as Onset of the First Korotkoff Sound and Disappearance of All Korotkoff Sounds, Respectively, Using the Narest Even Number
      • Note the Time of Most Recent Blood Pressure Medication Taken Before Blood Pressure Measurement
    • Step 5: Average the Blood Pressure Readings
      • Use an Average of ≥2 Readings Obtained on ≥2 Occasions to Estimate the Blood Pressure
    • Step 6: Provide Blood Pressure Readings to the Patient
      • Provide Patient the Systolic Blood Pressure (SBP)/Diastolic Blood Pressure (DBP) Readings Both Verbally and in Writing

Recommendations-2025 AHA/ACC/AANP/AAPA/ABC/ACCP/ACPM/AGS/AMA/ASPC/NMA/PCNA/SGIM Guideline for the Prevention, Detection, Evaluation and Management of High Blood Pressure in Adults (Circulation, 2025) MEDLINE]

  • Accurate Measurement of In-Office Blood Pressure
    • When Diagnosing and Managing High Blood Pressure in Adults, Standardized Methods are Recommended for the Accurate Measurement and Documentation of In-Office Blood Pressure (Class of Recommendation: 1; Level of Evidence: C-LD)
    • When Measuring In-Office Blood Pressure in Adults, it is Reasonable to Use the Oscillometric Method with an Automated Device Over the Auscultatory Method (Class of Recommendation: 2a; Level of Evidence: C-EO)
  • Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring (ABPM) and Home Blood Pressure Monitoring (HBPM)
    • In Adults with Suspected hypertension, Out-of-Office Blood Pressure Measurements by Either Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring (ABPM) or Home Blood Pressure Monitoring (HBPM) are Recommended to Confirm the Diagnosis of Hypertension (Class of Recommendation: 1; Level of Evidence: A)
    • In Adults Who are Taking Antihypertensives, Home Blood Pressure Monitoring (HBPM) is Recommended for Monitoring the Titration of Blood Pressure-Lowering Medication, Along with Cointerventions (Such as Patient Education, Telehealth Counseling, and Clinical Interventions) (Class of Recommendation: 1; Level of Evidence: A)
  • Cuffless Blood Pressure Devices
    • In Adults, the Use of Cuffless Blood Pressure Devices is Not Recommended for the Diagnosis or Management of High Blood Pressure (Class of Recommendation: 3 = No Benefit; Level of Evidence: C-LD)
  • White-Coat Hypertension and Masked Hypertension, White-Coat Effect and Masked Uncontrolled Hypertension
    • In Adults with Untreated Office Systolic Blood Pressure (SBP) ≥130 mm Hg or Diastolic Blood Pressure (DBP) ≥80 mm Hg, and without Office Systolic Blood (SBP) ≥160 mm Hg or Diastolic Blood Pressure (DBP) ≥100 mm Hg, it is Reasonable to Exclude White-Coat Hypertension Using Out-of-Office Blood Pressure Monitoring Before a Diagnosis of Hypertension is Made (Class of Recommendation: 2a; Level of Evidence: B-NR)
    • In Adults with White-Coat Hypertension or Masked Hypertension, Out-of-Office Blood Pressure Monitoring is Reasonable to Exclude Transition to a Diagnosis of Sustained Hypertension (Class of Recommendation: 2a; Level of Evidence: B-NR)
    • In Adults with Apparent Treatment-Resistant Hypertension on Office Blood Pressure, it is Reasonable to Exclude White-Coat Effect, a Form of Pseudoresistance, Using Out-of-Office Blood Pressure Monitoring (Class of Recommendation: 2a; Level of Evidence: C-LD)
    • In Adults Who are Taking Antihypertensives and Have Elevated Office Blood Pressure (Office Systolic Blood Pressure/SBP ≥130 mm Hg or Diastolic Blood Pressure/DBP ≥80 mm Hg) But Do Not Have Resistant Hypertension or Office Systolic Blood Pressure (SBP) ≥160 mm Hg or Diastolic Blood Pressure ≥100 mm Hg, it is Reasonable to Exclude White-Coat Effect Using Out-of-Office Blood Pressure Monitoring (Class of Recommendation: 2a; Level of Evidence: B-NR)
    • In Adults with Untreated Office Systolic Blood Pressure (SBP) <130 mm Hg and Diastolic Blood Pressure (DBP) <80 mm Hg, it May Be Reasonable to Exclude Masked Hypertension Using Out-of-Office Blood Pressure Monitoring (Class of Recommendation: 2b; Level of Evidence: B-NR)
    • In Adults Who are Taking Antihypertensives and Have Office Systolic Blood Pressure (SBP) <130 mm Hg and Diastolic Blood Pressure (DBP) <80 mm Hg, it May Be Reasonable to Exclude Masked Uncontrolled Hypertension Using Out-of-Office Blood Pressure Monitoring (Class of Recommendation: 2a; Level of Evidence: B-NR)

Classification of High Blood Pressure

Recommendations-2025 AHA/ACC/AANP/AAPA/ABC/ACCP/ACPM/AGS/AMA/ASPC/NMA/PCNA/SGIM Guideline for the Prevention, Detection, Evaluation and Management of High Blood Pressure in Adults (Circulation, 2025) MEDLINE]

  • Classification of High Blood Pressure
    • In Adults, Blood Pressure Should Be Categorized as Normal, Elevated, Stage 1, Stage 2 Hypertension to Prevent and Treat High Blood Pressure (Class of Recommendation: 1; Level of Evidence: B-NR)
      • Normal
        • Systolic Blood Pressure (SBP) <120 mm Hg and Diastolic Blood Pressure (DBP) <80 mm Hg
      • Elevated Blood Pressure
        • Systolic Blood Pressure (SBP) 120-129 mm Hg and Diastolic Blood Pressure (DBP) <80 mm Hg
      • Stage 1 Hypertension
        • Systolic Blood Pressure (SBP) 130-139 mm Hg or Diastolic Blood Pressure (DBP) 80-89 mm Hg
      • Stage 2 Hypertension
        • Systolic Blood Pressure (SBP) ≥140 mm Hg or Diastolic Blood Pressure (DBP) ≥90 mm Hg

Diagnostic Testing

Recommendations-2025 AHA/ACC/AANP/AAPA/ABC/ACCP/ACPM/AGS/AMA/ASPC/NMA/PCNA/SGIM Guideline for the Prevention, Detection, Evaluation and Management of High Blood Pressure in Adults (Circulation, 2025) MEDLINE]

  • Patient Evaluation (Including Laboratory Tests and Other Diagnostic Procedures)
    • For Adults Who are Diagnosed with Hypertension, the Following Diagnostic Testing Should Be Performed to Optimize Management (Class of Recommendation: 1; Level of Evidence: C-EO)

Other Diagnostic Testing

  • Arterial Line (see Arterial Line) Arterial Lines are Preferred for Monitoring the Rate of Blood Pressure Decline and the Use of Intravenous Antihypertensive Medications in the Setting of Hypertensive Emergency Studies Have Found that When Blood Pressures are >180/100 mm Hg in Critical Care or Surgical Inpatient Populations, Oscillometric Devices May Underestimate Blood Pressure by as Much as 50/30 mm Hg, as Compared with Blood Pressure Measured by an Arterial Line (Anesthesiology, 2011) [MEDLINE] (Sci World J, 2014) [MEDLINE] Even Research-Quality Manual Auscultatory Methods with Aneroid or Mercury Devices Exhibit Notable Discrepancies, as Compared to Arterial Line Readings (Crit Care Med, 2013 [MEDLINE] (J Hypertens, 2017) [MEDLINE]
  • Serum Uric Acid (see xxxx)
  • Chest X-Ray (CXR) (see Chest X-Ray) May Be Useful to Assess for Underlying Cardiopulmonary Disease
  • Echocardiogram (see Echocardiogram)
    • May Be Useful to Assess for Left Ventricular Hypertrophy (LVH) (Indicative of Longstanding Hypertension)


Clinical Manifestations of Essential Hypertension

General

Recommendations-2017 ACC/AHA/AAPA/ABC/ACPM/AGS/APhA/ASH/ASPC/NMA/PCNA Guideline for the Prevention, Detection, Evaluation, and Management of High Blood Pressure in Adults) (Hypertension, 2018) [MEDLINE]

  • Classification of Blood Pressure
    • Blood Pressure Should Be Categorized as Normal, Elevated, Stage 1, or Stage 2 Hypertension to Prevent and Treat Hypertension (Class of Recommendation: I, Level of Evidence: B-NR)
      • Normal
        • Systolic Blood Pressure (SBP) <120 mm Hg and Diastolic Blood Pressure (DBP) <80 mm Hg
      • Elevated Blood Pressure
        • Systolic Blood Pressure (SBP) 120-129 mm Hg and Diastolic Blood Pressure (DBP) <80 mm Hg
      • Stage 1 Hypertension
        • Systolic Blood Pressure (SBP) 130-139 mm Hg or Diastolic Blood Pressure (DBP) 80-89 mm Hg
      • Stage 2 Hypertension
        • Systolic Blood Pressure (SBP) ≥140 mm Hg or Diastolic Blood Pressure (DBP) ≥90 mm Hg

Indications for Screening for Secondary Hypertension (Hypertension, 2018) [MEDLINE]

  • Abrupt Onset of Hypertension
  • Concomitant Adrenal Nodule
  • Disproportionate Target Organ Damage for Degree of Hypertension
  • Drug-Resistant/Drug-Induced Hypertension
  • Exacerbation of Previously Controlled Hypertension
  • Family History of Primary Aldosteronism (see Hyperaldosteronism)
  • History of Early-Onset Stroke (see Ischemic Cerebrovascular Accident)
  • Hypertensive Emergency
  • Insomnia/Excessive Daytime Somnolence (see Insomnia and Excessive Daytime Somnolence)
  • Onset of Diastolic Hypertension at Age >65 y/o
  • Onset of Hypertension at Age <30 y/o
  • Unprovoked/Excessive Hypokalemia (see Hypokalemia)

Cardiovascular Manifestations

Left Ventricular Hypertrophy (LVH) (see Left Ventricular Hypertrophy)

  • Epidemiology
    • XXXX
  • Physiology
    • Left Ventricular Hypertrophy is Associated with Body Size (Particularly Lean Body Mass), Tobacco Use, Heart Rate (Inverse Relationship), and Longstanding Diabetes Mellitus
  • Diagnosis
    • Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) (see Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Imaging)
    • Echocardiogram (see Echocardiogram)
    • Electrocardiogram (EKG) (see Electrocardiogram)
      • Electrocardiographic Criteria for Left Ventricular Hypertrophy Correlate Weakly with Echocardiographic and Cardiac MRI Definitions of Left Ventricular Hypertrophy and are Less Strongly Associated with Adverse Cardiovascular Disease Outcomes
  • Clinical
    • Left Ventricular Hypertrophy (LVH) is a Secondary Manifestation of Hypertension and is an Independent Predictor of Cardiovascular Events
      • Blood Pressure Reduction Results in a Decrease in Left Ventricular Mass (Which Decreases the Risk of Cardiovascular Disease, Even in the Absence of Decrease in Blood Pressure)
    • Angiotensin Converting Enzyme Inhibitors (ACE-I), Angiotensin Receptor Blockers (ARB’s), and Calcium Channel Blockers are Superior to β-Blockers in Terms of Effectiveness in Decreasing Left Ventricular Hypertrophy (Hypertension, 2018) [MEDLINE]

Neurologic Manifestations

Increased Risk of Dementia (see Dementia)

  • Epidemiology
    • Meta-Analysis of Alzheimer and Non-Alzheimer Dementia Risk in Patients with Hypertension (Neurology, 2024) [MEDLINE]: n = 31,250 (from 14 countries)
      • Participants with Untreated Hypertension had a 36% (Hazard Ratio 1.36; 95% CI: 1.01-1.83, p = 0.0406) and 42% (Hazard Ratio 1.42; 95% CI: 1.08-1.87, p = 0.0135) Increased Risk of Alzheimer Dementia, as Compared with Healthy Controls and Those with Treated Hypertension, Respectively
      • Compared with Healthy Controls, Both Those with Treated Hypertension (Hazard Ratio 1.29; 95% CI: 1.03-1.60, p = 0.0267) and Untreated Hypertension (Hazard Ratio 1.69: 95% CI: 1.19-2.40, p = 0.0032) Had Greater Non-Alzheimer Dementia Risk, But There was No Difference Between the Treated and Untreated Groups
      • Baseline Diastolic Blood Pressure Had a Significant U-Shaped Relationship (p = 0.0227) with Non-Alzheimer Dementia Risk in an Analysis Restricted to Those with 5 yr Follow-Up, But Otherwise There was No Significant Relationship Between Baseline Blood Pressure and Either Alzheimer or Non-Alzheimer Dementia Risk
      • Antihypertensive Use was Associated with Decreased Alzheimer Dementia Risk (But Not Non-Alzheimer Dementia Risk) Throughout Late Life
        • Treating Hypertension Throughout Late Life Continues to Be Crucial in Alzheimer Dementia Risk Mitigation
  • Clinical
    • XXXXXXXX

Increased Risk of Ischemic Cerebrovascular Accident (CVA) (see Ischemic Cerebrovascular Accident)

  • Epidemiology
    • XXXX
  • Clinical
    • XXXXX

Renal Manifestations

Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) (see Chronic Kidney Disease)

  • Epidemiology
    • XXXX
    • Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) is Independently Associated with an Increased Risk of Chronic Kidney Disease in Hypertension (Sleep Med, 2023) [MEDLINE]
  • Clinical
    • XXXXXXX

Other Manifestations

XXXXX

  • xxx


Clinical Manifestations of Hypertensive Emergency

Etiology and Classification of Hypertension in the Inpatient Setting (Hypertension, 2024) [MEDLINE]

  • Hypertensive Emergency
    • Systolic Blood Pressure (SBP) >180 mm Hg or Diastolic Blood Pressure (DBP) >110 mm Hg with Evidence of New/Worsening Target-Organ Damage
  • Asymptomatic Markedly Elevated Inpatient Blood Pressure
    • Systolic Blood Pressure (SBP) >180 mm Hg or Diastolic Blood Pressure (DBP) >110 mm Hg without Evidence of New/Worsening Target-Organ Damage
  • Asymptomatic Elevated Inpatient Blood Pressure
    • Systolic Blood Pressure (SBP) ≥130 mm Hg or Diastolic Blood Pressure (DBP) ≥80 mm Hg without Evidence of New/Worsening Target-Organ Damage

Assessment for Target-Organ Damage

  • BARKHO Acronym
    • Brain
    • Arteries
    • Retina
    • Kidney
    • Heart
    • Other
  • Relationship of Clinical Symptoms to Blood Pressure
    • Blood Pressure-Related Target-Organ Damage May be Present Even with Systolic Blood Pressure (SBP) ≤180 mm Hg and Diastolic Blood Pressure (DBP) ≤110 mm Hg
    • Specific Clinical Symptoms (Chest Pain, Dyspnea, Focal Neurological Symptoms, and/or Headache) were More Common in Patients with Hypertensive Emergency, as Compared to Hypertensive Urgency (J Hypertens, 2020) [MEDLINE]

Brain Manifestations

Hypertensive Encephalopathy

  • Epidemiology
    • Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis (8 Studies) of Hypertensive Urgency/Emergency Patients Presenting to the Emergency Department (J Hypertens, 2020) [MEDLINE]
      • Acute Heart Failure/Cardiogenic Pulmonary Edema: accounted for 32% of hypertensive emergency presentations
      • Ischemic Cerebrovascular Accident: accounted for 29% of hypertensive emergency presentations
      • Acute Coronary Syndrome: accounted for 18% of hypertensive emergency presentations
      • Hemorrhagic Stroke: accounted for 11% of hypertensive emergency presentations
      • Acute Aortic Disssection Stroke: accounted for 2% of hypertensive emergency presentations
      • Hypertensive Encephalopathy: accounted for 2% of hypertensive emergency presentations
  • Physiology
    • In the Setting of Severe Hypertension, Cerebral Autoregulation Cannot Prevent an Increase in Intracranial Pressure (ICP), Resulting in Cerebral Edema
      • Especially in the Posterior Brain Regions, Where Sympathetic Innervation is Less Pronounced Leading to Less Effective Damping of Blood Pressure Oscillations (Brain Res, 1976) [MEDLINE]
    • Histopathological Changes in Hypertensive Encephalopathy
      • Cerebral Edema
      • Infarctions
      • Microscopic Hemorrhages
  • Clinical
    • Posterior Reversible Encephalopathy Syndrome (PRES) (see Posterior Reversible Encephalopathy Syndrome)
      • Hypertensive Encephalopathy is an Etiology of Posterior Reversible Encephalopathy Syndrome (PRES)
        • Posterior Reversible Encephalopathy Syndrome (PRES is Also Observed in other Disorders Characterized by Acute Microcirculatory Damage (Such as Antiphospholipid Antibody Syndrome, Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura, Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome, Use of Cytotoxic Drugs, Use of Anti-Angiogenic Drugs, etc)
      • Brain Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) (see Brain Magnetic Resonance Imaging)
        • T2 Images Demonstrate Parieto-Occipital White Matter Edema
    • Hypertensive Brainstem Encephalopathy

Intracerebral Hemorrhage (Hemorrhagic Cerebrovascular Accident) (see Intracerebral Hemorrhage)

  • Epidemiology
    • XXXXX
  • Clinical
    • XXXXXX

Ischemic Cerebrovascular Accident (CVA) (see Ischemic Cerebrovascular Accident)

  • Epidemiology-Hypertension as a Risk Factor for Ischemic Cerebrovascular Accident (CVA)
    • Hypertension is a Well-Established Risk Factor for Ischemic Cerebrovascular Accident (CVA)
  • Epidemiology-Hypertension During the Course of Ischemic Cerebrovascular Accident (CVA)
    • Hypertension is Common During Ischemic Cerebrovascular Accident (CVA) (Stroke, 2013) [MEDLINE]
      • In an Observational Study, Systolic Blood Pressure was >139 mm Hg in 77% of Cases and >184 mm HG in 15 of Cases of Ischemic Cerebrovascular Accident (CVA) on Emergency Department Arrival (Am J Emerg Med, 2007) [MEDLINE]
  • Physiology
    • Theoretically, Moderate Hypertension During Acute Ischemic Cerebrovascular Accident (CVA) Might Be Advantageous by Improving Cerebral Perfusion of the Ischemic Tissue
      • However, Hypertension Might Be Detrimental by Exacerbating Cerebral Edema and Hemorrhagic Transformation of the Ischemic Tissue
    • Extreme Hypertension is Clearly Detrimental, as it Decreases Perfusion of the Ischemic Brain (and Other Organs), Exacerbating the Ischemic Brain Injury
    • Based on the Above Observations and Studies, the Optimal Blood Pressure Range in the Setting of Acute Ischemic Cerebrovascular Accident (CVA) Consists of Systolic Blood Pressure Ranging from 121-200 mm Hg and Diastolic Blood Pressure Ranging from 81-110 mm Hg (Stroke, 2013) [MEDLINE]
      • However, Elevated In-Hospital Blood Pressure During Acute Ischemic Cerebrovascular Accident (CVA) Has Been Associated with Worse Clinical Outcomes with a More Linear Relationship
  • Clinical
    • Blood Pressure is Frequently Higher in Acute Ischemic Cerebrovascular Accident (CVA) Patients with a History of Hypertension than in Patients without Premorbid Hypertension
    • Blood Pressure Typically Decreases Spontaneously During the Acute Phase of Ischemic Cerebrovascular Accident (CVA), Starting within 90 min After the Onset of Stroke Symptoms
      • Optimal Blood Pressure Range May Be Dependent on Stroke Subtype and/or Patient-Specific Comorbidities

Subarachnoid Hemorrhage (SAH) (see Subarachnoid Hemorrhage)

  • Epidemiology
    • XXXX
  • Physiology
    • XXXX
  • Clinical
    • XXXX

Artery Manifestations

Acute Aortic Dissection (see Aortic Dissection)

  • Epidemiology
    • Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis (8 Studies) of Hypertensive Urgency/Emergency Patients Presenting to the Emergency Department (J Hypertens, 2020) [MEDLINE]
      • Acute Heart Failure/Cardiogenic Pulmonary Edema: accounted for 32% of hypertensive emergency presentations
      • Ischemic Cerebrovascular Accident: accounted for 29% of hypertensive emergency presentations
      • Acute Coronary Syndrome: accounted for 18% of hypertensive emergency presentations
      • Hemorrhagic Stroke: accounted for 11% of hypertensive emergency presentations
      • Acute Aortic Disssection Stroke: accounted for 2% of hypertensive emergency presentations
      • Hypertensive Encephalopathy: accounted for 2% of hypertensive emergency presentations
  • Clinical

Retina Manifestations

Grade III-IV Hypertensive Retinopathy (see xxxx)

  • Epidemiology
    • XXXX
  • Clinical
    • XXXX

Kidney Manifestations

Microangiopathic Hemolytic Anemia (MAHA) (“Malignant Hypertension”) (see Hemolytic Anemia)

  • Epidemiology
    • Microangiopathic Hemolytic Anemia (MAHA) Can Occur with Severe Hypertension (Systolic Blood Pressure >220 mm Hg/Diastolic Blood Pressure >100 mm Hg)
    • Clarification of the Temporal Relationship Between Hematologic Abnormalities and the Hypertension
      • Thrombotic Microangiopathy-Associated Acute Kidney Injury (AKI) May Be the Etiology of the Hypertension
      • However, New/Worsening Hypertension is Also Common in Complement-Mediated Thrombotic Microangiopathy (Occurring in 8-54% of Cases) (see xxxx)
        • This is Especially True if the Patient is Younger, Has a Poor Response to Antihypertensive Therapy, or if the Thrombotic Microangiopathy Does Not Improve with Antihypertensive Therapy Alone (Clin J Am Soc Nephrol, 2010) [MEDLINE] (Haematologica, 2019) [MEDLINE] (Hypertension, 2020) [MEDLINE]
  • Physiology
    • Activation of Pro-Inflammatory and Pro-Coagulant Pathways
    • Endothelial Detachment is a Pathological Hallmarks of Hypertensive Microangiopathy and is Believed to Result from High Shear Forces
      • Exposure of Blood to the Subendothelium Results in Coagulation Activation, Platelet Activation, and the Formation of a Fibrin Network
      • Formation of Platelet-Rich Thrombi with Obliteration of the Microcirculation
      • Platelet Consumption and Intravascular Hemolysis (Due to Trapping and Destruction of Red Blood Cells within the Fibrin Network)
  • Diagnosis
    • Discrimination of Malignant Hypertension from Other Etiologies of Thrombotic Microangiopathy (Such as Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura and Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome (HUS) May be Difficult
      • Malignant Hypertension-Associated Thrombotic Microangiopathy is Usually Less Severe, as Compared to Patients with Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura (TTP) and Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome (HUS)
        • Malignant Hypertension-Associated Thrombotic Microangiopathy Typically Has Only Moderate Thrombocytopenia and Few Schistocytes on the Peripheral Smear
      • Additionally, the Coexistence of a Severe Hypertension with Advanced Retinopathy is Usually Sufficient to Discriminate Hypertension-Associated Thrombotic Microangiopathy from Other Etiologies of Thrombotic Microangiopathy
    • A Disintegrin And Metalloprotease with a Thrombospondin Type 1 Motif, Member 13 (ADAMTS13) Activity (see ADAMTS13 Activity)
      • Malignant Hypertension-Associated Thrombotic Microangiopathy: normal-slightly decreased ADAMTS13 level
      • Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura (TTP): very low ADAMTS13 level
  • Clinical
  • Management
    • Blood Pressure Control Alone Will Usually Result in Clinical Improvement in Malignant Hypertension-Associated Thrombotic Microangiopathy within 24-48 hrs (Whereas, Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura and Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome Will Require Other Therapies)

Heart Manifestations

Acute Congestive Heart Failure (CHF) (see Congestive Heart Failure)

  • Epidemiology
    • Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis (8 Studies) of Hypertensive Urgency/Emergency Patients Presenting to the Emergency Department (J Hypertens, 2020) [MEDLINE]
      • Acute Heart Failure/Cardiogenic Pulmonary Edema: accounted for 32% of hypertensive emergency presentations
      • Ischemic Cerebrovascular Accident: accounted for 29% of hypertensive emergency presentations
      • Acute Coronary Syndrome: accounted for 18% of hypertensive emergency presentations
      • Hemorrhagic Stroke: accounted for 11% of hypertensive emergency presentations
      • Acute Aortic Disssection Stroke: accounted for 2% of hypertensive emergency presentations
      • Hypertensive Encephalopathy: accounted for 2% of hypertensive emergency presentations
  • Clinical

Acute Coronary Syndrome (ACS) (see Coronary Artery Disease)

  • Epidemiology
    • Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis (8 Studies) of Hypertensive Urgency/Emergency Patients Presenting to the Emergency Department (J Hypertens, 2020) [MEDLINE]
      • Acute Heart Failure/Cardiogenic Pulmonary Edema: accounted for 32% of hypertensive emergency presentations
      • Ischemic Cerebrovascular Accident: accounted for 29% of hypertensive emergency presentations
      • Acute Coronary Syndrome: accounted for 18% of hypertensive emergency presentations
      • Hemorrhagic Stroke: accounted for 11% of hypertensive emergency presentations
      • Acute Aortic Disssection Stroke: accounted for 2% of hypertensive emergency presentations
      • Hypertensive Encephalopathy: accounted for 2% of hypertensive emergency presentations
  • Clinical

Other Manifestations

Pheochromocytoma (see Pheochromocytoma)

  • Epidemiology
    • XXXX
  • Clinical
    • Hypertension

Post-Carotid Endarterectomy Syndrome (see Carotid Endarterectomy)

  • Epidemiology
    • XXXXXXX
  • Clinical
    • Hypertension

Cocaine Intoxication (see Cocaine)

  • Epidemiology
    • XXXXXXX
  • Clinical
    • Hypertension

Perioperative Hypertension

  • Epidemiology
    • XXXXXX
  • Clinical
    • Hypertension


References

Clinical