Having blood pressure measures consistently above normal may result in a diagnosis of high blood pressure (or hypertension). The higher your blood pressure levels, the more risk you have for other health problems, such as heart disease, heart attack, and stroke.
When is high blood pressure (hypertension) a medical emergency?
There are times when high blood pressure (hypertension) is considered an emergency and requires urgent medical attention. This can occur if your blood pressure rises quickly and severely.
Seek emergency care if your blood pressure reading is 180/120 or higher AND you have any of the following symptoms, which may be signs of organ damage:
Chest pain
Shortness of breath
Numbness or weakness
Change in vision
Difficulty speaking
Severe headache
When is high blood pressure in a pregnant woman a concern?
Pregnant women, unlike adults who aren’t pregnant, should contact their healthcare provider if their blood pressure is 140/90 or higher. The following symptoms may happen alongside the high blood pressure:
Upper abdominal pain
Vision changes
Swelling especially in the hands and feet
Headaches
When is high blood pressure a medical emergency for my child?
What counts as normal or abnormal blood pressure in a child is different than an adult’s depending on age, weight, sex and height. However, the blood pressure reading of 180/120 that indicates a medical emergency for adults also means one for a child.
What causes high blood pressure?
Not getting enough exercise, having obesity and diseases such as diabetes make you at-risk for high blood pressure.
How can I lower my blood pressure in 5 minutes?
If your blood pressure is elevated and you want to see an immediate change, lie down and take deep breaths. This is how you lower your blood pressure within minutes, helping to slow your heart rate and decrease your blood pressure. When you feel stress, hormones are released that constrict your blood vessels.
What questions might I be asked in the emergency room?
Your healthcare provider will interview you when you enter the emergency room. Do your best to prepare yourself to answer the following questions, and more, that your healthcare provider may ask.
What medications are you on?
Did you forget your blood pressure medication?
What symptoms do you have?
How long have you had these symptoms?
How long can you live with high blood pressure?
If left untreated, a blood pressure of 180/120 or higher results in an 80% chance of death within one year, with an average survival rate of ten months. Prolonged, untreated high blood pressure can also lead to heart attack, stroke, blindness, and kidney disease.
Can High BP cause stroke?
Blood vessels damaged by high blood pressure can narrow, rupture or leak. High blood pressure can also cause blood clots to form in the arteries leading to the brain, blocking blood flow and potentially causing a stroke.
What blood pressure is stroke level?
Blood pressure readings above 180/120 mmHg are considered stroke-level, dangerously high, and require immediate medical attention.
