When blood pressure values get out of control – hypertensive crisis and hypertensive emergency

A hypertensive crisis is a life-threatening condition that requires immediate medical attention to prevent it from developing into a hypertensive emergency.

Hypertensive crisis:

A hypertensive crisis is defined as a sudden, massive blood pressure rise to levels from 230/130 mmHg. The classification of the European Society of Hypertension and the European Society of Cardiology already defines blood pressure values over 180/120 mmHg as a hypertensive crisis. In the 2024 National Hypertension Guideline, values over 180/110 mmHg are classified as a severe blood pressure episode. In a hypertensive crisis there are not yet any signs of acute hypertensive organ damage. People may be symptom-free - but they often report symptoms such as headaches, nosebleeds, dizziness or shaking all over the body. You may also experience visual disturbances, a tight feeling in the chest, breathing difficulties, confusion or impaired consciousness, or a reduced need to urinate.

A hypertensive crisis is also referred to as hypertensive decompensation, hypertone crisis or a blood pressure crisis.

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Hypertensive emergency:

The extremely high blood pressure present in a hypertensive crisis can cause organ damage. This is then described as a hypertensive emergency and should be avoided if possible.

Possible organ damage includes, for example, pulmonary edema (fluid buildup in the lungs), acute heart failure (reduced pumping function of the heart), angina pectoris, acute coronary syndrome up to a heart attack, aortic dissection (separation of the layers of the main artery), increased intracranial pressure, brain hemorrhage and resulting stroke, as well as bleeding in the retina of the eye.

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When blood pressure values get out of control – hypertensive crisis and hypertensive emergency

Hypertensive crisis:

Hypertensive emergency:

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