Treatment Options

Patients presenting with such ‘hypertensive urgencies’ may benefit from a moderate increase in the antihypertensive drugs that they are already taking. Compliance with antihypertensive medication should be ensured.

Only occasionally will commencement of new oral antihypertensive therapy be indicated in the emergency department [3]. These patients can usually be managed as an outpatient.

Appropriate follow-up should be arranged, normally through their primary care practitioner.

Pitfall

It is a common misconception that patients should never be discharged from the emergency department with an elevated BP.