Treatment Options For Malignant Hypertension!
A person is said to have malignant hypertension when the blood pressure has risen beyond the normal blood pressure measure i.e. 120/80 mmHg. If you have malignant hypertension, the systolic and diastolic blood pressure will typically be above 180 mmHg and 120 mmHg respectively. This is a case of hypertensive crisis and requires emergency medical care.
Malignant hypertension is a rare condition but could be serious or fatal if left untreated. Only about 1% of all people with a history of high blood pressure develop malignant hypertension. Men more than women are likely to have it. Moreover, poor access to healthcare puts you at greater risk of the condition.
Ways to treat malignant hypertension
A doctor will carefully study the following symptoms and consider your overall health before deciding the best treatment plan for you –
- Swelling and bleeding in the blood vessels in the retina
- Blurred vision
- Angina or chest pain
- Dizziness
- Trouble breathing
- Severe headaches
- Numbness in the face, legs and arms
- Brain swelling (in rare cases)
- Confusion, drowsiness and seizures
- Blindness
- Vomiting and nausea
Treatment aims to bring down elevated blood pressure to its normal measure within a short period. Your healthcare provider will administer medications intravenously to lower high blood pressure – this is the fastest method of reducing extreme levels of blood pressure in people with malignant hypertension.
Once your blood pressure stabilizes, you will be kept on oral medications for a couple of days.
Things to keep in mind
Post-treatment, you will need to follow up with your doctor to get your blood pressure monitored regularly. Make sure you do not skip your medications, as prescribed by your healthcare provider.
Besides conventional treatment, lifestyle and dietary changes also help a great deal in keeping your blood pressure under control. Seek treatment immediately if you encounter any symptoms. You will require emergency care to avoid the risk of organ damage due to malignant hypertension.