Treatment of hypertension in emergent and urgent cases. Part I. Hypertensive urgencies

Abstract

Treatment of hypertensive emergencies and urgencies depends on severity of complications such as target organ dysfunction. Early triage of patients with elevated blood pressure is critical to assure the best therapy. History, physical examination with selected laboratory studies can ascertain clinical status and degree of target organ dysfunction.
Hypertensive urgencies are severe elevations in blood pressure without evidence of acute or rapidly progressive target organ damage. High blood pressure alone in the absence of symptoms of progressive target organ dysfunction rarely requires emergency therapy. Usually it can be managed by orally administered drugs with appropriate follow-up.