What it means
Blood pressure that has risen to a dangerous level, generally above 180 mm Hg systolic, above 120 mm Hg diastolic, or both. It is a hypertensive emergency when organs are being damaged, as in a stroke, heart attack, kidney injury or pulmonary edemaPUL-muh-nair-ee ih-DEE-muhA buildup of fluid in the air sacs and tissues of the lungs.pulmon/o lung-ary having to do withedema swelling with fluidFull entry , and a hypertensive urgency when they are not. Causes include stopping blood pressure medicine, stimulant drugs such as cocaine, preeclampsiapree-ih-KLAMP-see-uhA disorder of pregnancy, starting after 20 weeks, that affects the blood vessels and organs such as the kidneys, liver and brain.pre- beforeeclampsia Full entry , and MAOI antidepressants taken with foods high in tyramine.
For the nurse
Report it at once. Watch for severe headache, blurred vision, chest pain, confusion, shortness of breath and less urine. In an emergency, IV drugs lower the pressure slowly, usually by no more than 25% in the first hour, so blood pressure is checked very often.
Related terms
hypertension
Blood pressure that stays higher than normal, at or above 130/80 mm Hg by current US guidelines.
preeclampsia
A disorder of pregnancy, starting after 20 weeks, that affects the blood vessels and organs such as the kidneys, liver and brain.
stroke
Sudden damage to part of the brain because its blood supply is blocked or a blood vessel in it bursts.