Malignant hypertension is very high blood pressure that comes on suddenly and quickly.
Causes
The disorder affects a small number of people with high blood pressure, including children and adults. It is more common in younger adults, especially African American men.
It also occurs in people with:
Collagen vascular disorders (such as systemic lupus erythematosus, systemic sclerosis, and periarteritis nodosa)
Kidney problems
Pregnancy-induced high blood pressure (toxemia)
You are at high risk for malignant hypertension if you smoke and if you have had:
Kidney failure
Renal hypertension caused by renal artery stenosis
Symptoms
Symptoms of malignant hypertension include:
Blurred vision
Change in mental status, such as anxiety, confusion, decreased alertness, decreased ability to concentrate, fatigue, restlessness, sleepiness, or stupor
Chest pain (feeling of crushing or pressure)
Cough
Headache
Nausea or vomiting
Numbness of the arms, legs, face, or other areas
Reduced urine output
Seizure
Shortness of breath
Weakness of the arms, legs, face, or other areas
Exams and Tests
Malignant hypertension is a medical emergency.
A physical exam commonly shows:
Extremely high blood pressure
Swelling in the lower legs and feet
Abnormal heart sounds and fluid in the lungs
Changes in thinking, sensation, and reflexes
An eye exam will reveal changes that indicate high blood pressure, including:
Bleeding of the retina (back part of the eye)
Narrowing of the blood vessels in the retina
Swelling of the optic nerve
Other problems with the retina
Tests to determine damage to the kidneys may include:
Arterial blood gas analysis
BUN (blood urea nitrogen)
Creatinine
Urinalysis
Kidney ultrasound
A chest x-ray may show congestion in the lungs and an enlarged heart.
This disease may also affect the results of these tests:
Level of aldosterone (a hormone from the adrenal gland)
Cardiac enzymes (markers of heart damage)
CT scan of the brain
Electrocardiogram (ECG)
Renin level
Urinary sediment
Treatment
You will need to stay in the hospital until your severe high blood pressure is under control. You will receive medicines through a vein (IV) to reduce your blood pressure.
If there is fluid in your lungs, you will be given medicines called diuretics, which help the body remove fluid. Your doctor may give you medicines to protect your heart if you have signs of heart damage.
After your severe high blood pressure is under control, blood pressure medicines taken by mouth can control blood pressure. Your medicine may need to be changed sometimes. High blood pressure can be difficult to control.
Prognosis
Many body systems are at serious risk from the extreme rise in blood pressure. Organs including the brain, eyes, blood vessels, heart, and kidneys may be damaged.
The blood vessels of the kidney are very likely to be damaged by high blood pressure. Kidney failure may develop, which may be permanent. If this happens, you may need dialysis (machine that removes waste products from blood).
If treated right away, malignant hypertension can often be controlled without causing permanent problems. If it is not treated right away, it can be fatal.
Possible Complications
These complications may occur:
Brain damage (stroke, seizures)
Heart damage, including: heart attack, angina (chest pain due to narrowed blood vessels or weakened heart muscle), heart rhythm disturbances
Kidney failure
Permanent blindness
Fluid in the lungs
When to Contact a Medical Professional
Prevention
If you have high blood pressure, carefully monitor your blood pressure and take your medicines properly to help reduce your risk. Eat a healthy diet that is low in salt and fat.
Is malignant hypertension a disability?
The SSA does not consider high blood pressure a disability. There is no longer a disability listing for high blood pressure in the SSA's list of impairments that qualifies someone for Social Security disability benefits.
Is malignant hypertension life-threatening?
Who's at Risk for Malignant Hypertension? Malignant hypertension is rare. About 1% of people who have a history of high blood pressure develop this life-threatening condition. You are at greater risk of developing it if you are a man, African-American, or someone of lower economic status.
