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Malignant Hypertension
Malignant hypertension will many times be responsible for heart failure. This type of high blood pressure occurs when the patient's blood pressure rises to a very high level very quickly. This elevation in blood pressure happens so quickly, that it causes an emergency condition. It is, of course, a serious matter.
Sometimes called accelerated hypertension, malignant hypertension requires emergency help. Go to the emergency room or call your local emergency number or doctor immediately if you are experiencing symptoms of malignant hypertension. Once the diagnosis of malignant hypertension is made, intravenous drugs will be administered.
Fortunately, malignant hypertension is not very common.
Symptoms
Symptoms of malignant hypertension include headache and vision changes, such as blurry vision. Fatigue and weakness, usually with feelings of confusion and possible nausea may be felt by a person experiencing the onset of malignant hypertension. Also, chest pains and/or shortness of breadth may be experienced.
Treatment
Malignant hypertension is treated in the hospital because it is an emergency condition. In some cases it may only require the patient to be an outpatient if the blood pressure can be brought back into a reasonable range within a matter of hours or less. In this case the patient would be required to return for several frequent follow-ups to make sure the condition is brought under control. However, sometimes a longer hospital stay is necessary to bring the blood pressure under control.
If the malignant hypertension has caused another problem, like heart failure, for instance, then, of course, this problem would have to be addressed.
Diagnosis & Tests
Your doctor will ask you about your symptoms and medical history. Then the doctor will perform a physical exam. Your symptoms may be caused by other health conditions, including a heart attack, which is not malignant hypertension related. This means it is important to note that if you do experience the symptoms similar to those described, you should be aware of the possibilities but it doesn't necessarily mean you have malignant hypertension.
Damage
High blood pressure is a serious development but the damage it causes takes several years to develop. Malignant hypertension, on the other hand, can cause these problems in hours. With regular high blood pressure, hardening of the arteries may occur over several years. However, malignant hypertension can cause heart, kidney, brain and even eye problems and it can do so quickly.
Conclusion
Malignant hypertension is serious and it is life threatening. It is very important that medical treatment be administered immediately. Malignant hypertension is acute in nature meaning that, if not controlled it will become worse and worse and much harder to deal with if medical attention is not administered rapidly. The main problem is the sudden and steady rise in the blood pressure caused by malignant hypertension, if left untreated, may very well cause heart failure. So, in short, these symptoms must be dealt with quickly.
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