“CLINICAL PRESENTATION OF HYPERTENSIVE EMERGENCY AND URGENCY PATIENTS”

Abstract

Arterial hypertension affects approximately a billion people worldwide and approximately 30 % of them remain undiagnosed.1% - 2% of known hypertensive patients will have hypertensive emergency at some time in their life Though hypertensive crisis contributes one fourth of all emergency visits and trend is increasing in last few years still there is lack of data over the actual incidence of hypertensive crisis The present study aims to know the incidence and clinical presentation of the hypertensive crisis ( hypertensive emergency and urgency ) in a tertiary hospital and will help us to know the incidence and pattern of clinical presentation with respect to different aspects. Methods; This is a prospective observational study of 100 cases of hypertensive crisis (hypertensive emergency and hypertensive urgency) presenting to the emergency department. Study conduct during 2016 to 2018. Results; The incidence of hypertensive crisis was found to be 20%.Most of the patients were belonged to the 5th and 6th decades of life and Male patients were more than female patients Majority of the patients were known hypertensives for 6 to 10 years and 22% of the known hypertensive patients has discontinued their anti hypertensive medications Cardiovascular symptoms in the form of dyspnoea & chest pain were the most common accompanying symptoms Acute coronary syndrome was the most common clinical manifestation followed by neurological decit. Conclusion; As the trend of hypertensive crisis is increasing efforts should be made to reduce the occurrence of hypertension Preventive measures should be taken in the form of community education for dietary modication and routine exercise Routine blood pressure check ups compliance to the anti hypertensive treatment and control of associated comorbidities is essential to reduce the risk of hypertensive crisis.