Accelerated Hypertension

What is accelerated hypertension?

Accelerated hypertension is a disease characterized by a rapid and sudden increase in blood pressure over the baseline level that, if untreated, poses a threat for damage to organs and tissues.

Accelerated hypertension is an uncommon cardiovascular disease in the United States. In contrast, approximately one-quarter of the people in United States have essential or secondary hypertension (Source: CDC).

It is not known why accelerated hypertension develops in some people with hypertension and not in others.

The signs and symptoms of accelerated hypertension occur suddenly and represent a medical emergency. People with accelerated hypertension have extremely high blood pressure that poses a risk of serious or life-threatening symptoms if untreated. Fortunately, accelerated hypertension can be treated successfully with antihypertensive medications.

Left untreated, accelerated hypertension can progress to hypertensive emergency and result in organ damage. Severe organ damage can cause stroke, blindness, kidney failure, or coma and may be life threatening.Seek prompt medical care if you develop headache, irregular heartbeat, nosebleed, or vision changes. Seek immediate medical care (call 911) if you, or someone you are with, have symptoms of extremely high blood pressure, such as chest pain or pressure, cough, shortness of breath, blurred vision, confusion, reduced urine production, nausea or vomiting, or seizure.