Getting a regular blood pressure check is important as it could well save your life! High blood pressure can be a silent killer in that it can cause other problems such as kidney failure, heart attacks and strokes – sometimes without warning and with fatal results.
High blood pressure is often called the “Silent Killer” This is because it often has no warning signs or symptoms. Malignant hypertension is a severe emergency which is characterized by a severe rise in the blood pressure which cannot then be lowered. It is diagnosed by the presence of advanced retinopathy in the presence of a diastolic blood pressure of over 120 mm Hg.
Malignant hypertension is defined as very high blood pressure with swelling of the optic nerve behind the eye called papilledema (grade IV Keith-Wagner hypertensive retinopathy). Malignant hypertension is accompanied with damage to organs such as hypertensive encephalopathy, kidney and heart.
Malignant hypertension is more prevalent in African type people and also more common in smokers. It affects about 1% of those people already suffering with high blood pressure. It is also known to occur in younger people (even children), and also in pregnancy.
In malignant hypertension, there is usually a characteristic rush or increase in the blood pressure often for no apparent reason. Because it is very difficult to reduce a malignant blood pressure, it can and will cause the vital organs of the body irreparable harm. This can include the brain, eyes, heart, kidneys and blood vessels. (They are all put under tremendous pressure).
Those suffering from malignant hypertension may also complain of: