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Primary Causes of Hypertensive Crisis
Scott K Van Why1, Cynthia G Pan1
1Department of Pediatrics, Medical College of Wisconsin, 999 North 92nd Street, Suite C510, Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA.
Insights
Hypertensive crisis, a sudden severe high blood pressure, can cause rapid organ damage, especially in children. Prompt evaluation and management are crucial for identifying underlying causes and preventing complications.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Nephrology
- Cardiovascular Medicine
- Clinical Hypertension
Background:
- Hypertensive crisis is a rare but serious condition characterized by abrupt, severe elevations in blood pressure.
- It poses a significant threat of rapid end-organ damage, necessitating urgent medical attention.
Purpose of the Study:
- To discuss common and rare causes of severe hypertension across all age groups, from infancy to adulthood.
- To outline clinical features indicative of serious underlying diseases associated with symptomatic hypertension.
Main Methods:
- Review of clinical literature on hypertensive crisis.
- Analysis of patient case studies to identify common and rare etiologies.
- Correlation of clinical presentation with underlying causes and urgency of management.
Main Results:
- Specific causes for hypertensive crisis can often be identified through targeted investigations.
- History and physical examination are key in guiding assessment and management decisions.
- Clinical features can signal serious underlying pathology in severe, symptomatic hypertension.
Conclusions:
- Hypertensive crisis, particularly in children, requires prompt and comprehensive evaluation.
- Identifying the specific cause is essential for effective management and prevention of end-organ damage.
- Understanding clinical indicators aids in timely diagnosis and intervention for severe hypertension.
Abstract:
Hypertensive crisis, especially in children, is a rare condition and is defined as a sudden and abrupt elevation in blood pressure that poses a threat of rapid onset of end-organ damage. Symptomatic hypertension requires urgent and thorough evaluation and management. In most patients with hypertensive crisis, a specific cause can be found with targeted investigation. History and physical examination will guide the assessment for cause and urgency of management. This article discusses common and rare causes of severe hypertension in infancy, childhood, and adulthood. Clinical features that indicate possible serious underlying disease associated with severe and symptomatic hypertension are outlined.
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