Hypertensive emergency means blood pressure is so high that organ damage can occur. Blood pressure must be reduced immediately to prevent imminent organ damage. This is done in an intensive care unit of a hospital. Organ damage associated with the hypertensive emergency may include:
Changes in mental status, such as confusion Bleeding into the brain (stroke) Heart failure Chest pain (unstable angina) Fluid in the lungs (pulmonary edema) Heart attack Aneurysm (aortic dissection) Eclampsia (occurs during pregnancy)