Malignant hypertension
Alternative Names
Accelerated hypertension; Arteriolar nephrosclerosis; Nephrosclerosis - arteriolar; Hypertension - malignantSymptoms
- Abnormal sensation (numbness) of the arms, legs, face, or other areas
- Blurred vision
- Change in mental status
- Restlessness
- Anxiety
- Decreased alertness, decreased ability to concentrate
- Fatigue
- Sleepiness, stuporous, lethargic
- Confusion
- Chest pain
- Mid-chest location most common
- Crushing or pressure sensation
- Cough
- Decreased urinary output
- Headache
- Nausea or vomiting
- Seizure
- Shortness of breath
- Weakness of the arms, legs, face, or other areas
Exams and Tests
Malignant hypertension is a medical emergency.
Blood pressure may be extremely high. An eye examination will reveal changes that indicate high blood pressure, including swelling of the optic nerve, retinal bleeding, or other problems with the retina.
If not already present, kidney failure may develop as a complication of malignant hypertension. Other complications may also develop.
Tests to determine damage to the kidneys may include:
- BUN
- Creatinine
- Arterial blood gas analysis
- Urinalysis
A chest x-ray may show lung congestion. The congestion results from fluid forced into the lungs by heart failure as a consequence of the high blood pressure.
This disease may also alter the results of the following tests:
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