Malignant hypertension is deadly. What kind of illness is that?

Malignant hypertension is a dangerous disease that is a severe form of arterial hypertension. The disease can lead to life-threatening emergencies and requires timely implementation of appropriate hospital treatment. What are the symptoms of malignant hypertension and what else should I know about it?

1. Malignant hypertension is also known as a hypertensive crisis or a hypertensive emergency.
2. The list of its symptoms includes, among others abdominal pain and urination disorders
3. Untreated arterial hypertension can result in death
4. More current information can be found on the Onet homepage.

What is malignant hypertension?

Malignant hypertension is a form of arterial hypertension that is dangerous to the patient’s life. It is also sometimes referred to as hypertensive crisis or a hypertension emergency. Malignant hypertension is a condition with high blood pressure, changes in the fundus, damage to at least three organs and microangiopathy (changes in blood vessels). Hand in hand with malignant hypertension is also progressive renal and heart failure, and consequently also failure of other organs.

Symptoms of malignant hypertension

In the course of malignant hypertension can be observed high blood pressure – diastolic pressure then reaches values ​​of 120-140 mmHg. Look out for general symptoms, including weakness, dizziness, and shortness of breath. The disease process may be accompanied by abdominal pain indicative of conditions such as ischemia of the intestinal wall or pancreatitis. The symptom of malignant hypertension are also urination disordersincluding nocturia (nocturia), polyuria, and the appearance of hematuria and proteinuria.

Some ailments are related to the central nervous system – headaches, visual disturbances and pressure encephalopathy. In malignant hypertension, eye fundus changes, exudates and retinal hemorrhages also appearand, but also optic disc edema. There is also necrosis of small arteries and arterioles within the vessels of the kidneys, retina and brain. In the course of malignant hypertension, electrolyte disturbances (e.g. hypokalemia) occur, and tests may reveal increased levels of urea, uric acid and creatinine.

Symptoms of malignant hypertension also include rapidly progressive renal failure, and heart failure or a heart attack.

Also read: An unusual symptom of hypertension that we do not pay attention to

Malignant hypertension – where does it come from?

Malignant hypertension occurs relatively rarely, as most people exposed to it use antihypertensive drugs to prevent the development of this serious condition. Usually, malignant hypertension is led by neglecting the treatment of hypertension or by inappropriate treatment of it.

Malignant hypertension is diagnosed more often in men at the age of 45, less often in women. Smoking is likely to be a contributory factor to malignant hypertension and, in the case of women, also the use of oral contraception. The exact causes of malignant hypertension are not clear, but it is likely due to genetic factors, intravascular coagulation, as well as vasopressin, renin, aldosterone, endothelin, and angiotensin II.

Remember to control the pressure. Choose one of the blood pressure monitors from the Medonet Market offer, e.g. a sleeve sphygmomanometer, a wireless wrist sphygmomanometer or a dial pressure monitor with a stethoscope.

The risk of malignant hypertension appears in the following diseases:

1. primary hypertension or secondary hypertension;
2. interstitial or glomerulonephritis and other kidney diseases;
3. Cushing’s syndrome;
4. pregnancy poisoning;
5. connective tissue diseases;
6. renal artery stenosis;
7. pheochromocytoma of the adrenal gland.

Check also: Pulmonary hypertension – symptoms, treatment and causes. What is this?

How is malignant hypertension detected?

In case of disturbing symptoms, contact a doctor as soon as possible, and in case of emergency, go to the hospital. Appropriate diagnostics can be proposed by a family doctor or a cardiologist. Useful in the diagnosis of malignant hypertension are urine tests, blood counts, ECG of the heart, chest X-ray, computed tomography of the head or eye fundus examination.

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Treatment of malignant hypertension

Malignant hypertension is a severe form of hypertension, therefore is associated with poor prognosis in the absence of proper treatment. Hospitalization may be necessary to initiate treatment for malignant hypertension, especially if organ failure has occurred. The treatment process should be supervised by a cardiologist who selects appropriate medications to lower blood pressure.

Read: Where do the problems in treating high blood pressure come from?

Complications of malignant hypertension

Malignant hypertension can result in serious health complications. That is why it is so important to detect this severe form of arterial hypertension as soon as possible and implement appropriate treatment. Complications of malignant hypertension include myocardial infarction, stroke, pulmonary edema, kidney damage, hypertensive retinopathy, hypertensive encephalopathy, and acute heart failure. A hypertensive crisis may also result in death – maybe enough of him in a few days, but also in a dozen or so months.

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