Malignant hypertension is a medical emergency that occurs when blood pressure increases dramatically to far beyond the normal threshold. This condition can appear quickly and suddenly. If not treated immediately, malignant hypertension can cause organ damage, even death.
Malignant hypertension is an emergency condition of severe hypertension. Malignant hypertension is characterized by an increase in blood pressure to 180/120 mmHg or higher.
In fact, normal blood pressure for adults is around 120/80 mm Hg. The number 120 mmHg indicates systolic pressure, while 80 mmHg indicates diastolic pressure.
Hypertension is often asymptomatic, so many people do not realize that they suffer from hypertension or high blood pressure. If left untreated, hypertension can get worse and develop into malignant hypertension.
When already experiencing malignant hypertension, sufferers of this condition can experience damage to various organs of the body, such as the brain, kidneys, heart, eyes, and lungs. However, in some cases, the cause of malignant hypertension is often not clearly known.
Symptoms and Complications of Malignant Hypertension
Some people with malignant hypertension may not experience any complaints. However, others may experience some of the following symptoms:
- Blurred vision
- Severe headache
- Nausea and vomiting
- Chest pain and chest pounding
- Tingling or numbness
- Decreased or scanty amount of urine
- Nosebleed
- Hard to breathe
- Changes in mental status, such as confusion, restlessness, difficulty concentrating, and frequent drowsiness
- Seizures
- Faint
If not treated immediately, malignant hypertension can cause various complications, such as:
- Swelling or pulmonary edema
- stroke
- Heart attack
- Heart failure
- Kidney failure
- Death
People at Risk for Attacks of Malignant Hypertension
Malignant hypertension is actually quite rare. This condition is estimated to only occur in about 1-2 people out of 1 million people with high blood pressure. Although relatively rare, malignant hypertension is a very dangerous medical emergency.
Until now, the cause of malignant hypertension is still not known with certainty. However, several studies show that damage to blood vessels in the body's organs is often one of the factors that can trigger malignant hypertension.
In addition, there are several conditions that are known to increase a person's risk of developing malignant hypertension, namely:
- High blood pressure that is not well controlled, for example due to lack of regular medication
- Unhealthy lifestyle, for example smoking and consuming alcoholic beverages, and often eating foods high in salt and fat
- Kidney disease, for example kidney failure
- Autoimmune disorders, such as scleroderma
- Tumors of the adrenal glands, including pheochromocytoma
- Preeclampsia
- spinal injury
- Side effects of certain drugs, such as birth control pills, antidepressant drugs, NSAIDs, corticosteroids, and illegal drugs such as cocaine and amphetamines.
Diagnosis and Treatment of Malignant Hypertension
Malignant hypertension is important to be detected early so that it does not cause fatal complications. To diagnose malignant hypertension, the doctor will perform a physical examination, including measurement of blood pressure, and several investigations, such as:
- Blood and urine test
- Kidney function check
- Radiological examination, such as X-rays, angiography, ultrasound, CT Scan, and MRI
- Echocardiogram and electrocardiogram
If the results of the doctor's examination show that the patient has malignant hypertension, the treatment needs to be done in a hospital. If malignant hypertension has caused severe damage to the organs of the body, the sufferer may need to undergo treatment in the ICU (ICU).intensive care unit).
The main goal of treating malignant hypertension is to reduce the patient's high blood pressure gradually. To treat malignant hypertension, doctors can provide the following treatments:
Administration of drugs
Malignant hypertension needs to be treated with antihypertensive drugs as soon as possible. Generally, doctors will give blood pressure-lowering drugs or antihypertensives by injection into an IV.
After blood pressure begins to decrease and stabilize, doctors can replace the administration of injection antihypertensive drugs with antihypertensive drugs in the form of oral drugs. Antihypertensive drugs are also given when the patient is discharged from the hospital.
In addition, the doctor may also give other drugs, such as diuretic drugs, if the patient has pulmonary edema or swelling of the brain.
Oxygen therapy
Patients with malignant hypertension can experience respiratory problems, fainting, or even coma. This can cause the patient to experience a lack of oxygen. Therefore, doctors can provide oxygen therapy through a tube or oxygen mask.
If the patient is in a coma or unable to breathe, the doctor may give oxygen therapy through a ventilator.
Dialysis
If it has caused severe kidney damage or kidney failure, people with malignant hypertension may need to undergo dialysis procedures. However, this action is usually only done if the blood pressure is controlled and the patient is declared to be able to undergo dialysis.
Prevent Malignant Hypertension with These Ways
In order to prevent this dangerous attack of hypertension, you need to regularly check your blood pressure regularly at the hospital or at home with a blood pressure measuring device (tensimeter).
If you already suffer from hypertension, don't forget to take the medicine prescribed by your doctor regularly and don't reduce the dose or skip the time you take it.
In addition, you are also advised to live a healthy lifestyle, such as:
- Increase consumption of fruits and vegetables and limit or reduce consumption of foods high in salt and high in saturated fat
- Exercise regularly
- Stop smoking and stay away from cigarette smoke
- Enough rest
- Reduce stress
In order not to experience malignant hypertension, you can keep your blood pressure stable in the following ways. If you do have hypertension, don't forget to regularly take antihypertensive drugs and undergo regular medical check-ups.
If you have experienced some signs and symptoms of malignant hypertension, immediately consult a doctor at the hospital. It is intended that malignant hypertension can be treated quickly, so that dangerous complications due to this attack can be prevented.
