Malignant hypertension (arteriolar nephrosclerosis)

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Hypertensive kidney

Accelerated hypertension; Arteriolar nephrosclerosis; Nephrosclerosis - arteriolar; Hypertension - malignant

Hospitalization is essential until the severe high blood pressure is under control. Medications delivered through an IV line, such as nitroprusside, nitroglycerin, or others, may reduce your blood pressure.

After the severe high blood pressure is brought under control, anti-hypertensive medications taken by mouth can control your blood pressure. The medication may need to be adjusted occasionally. Hypertension can be difficult to control.

If treated promptly, malignant hypertension is often controlled without permanent complications. If it is not treated promptly, complications may be severe and life-threatening.

• recurrence of malignant hypertension episodes
• damage to the brain from:
  • hypertensive encephalopathy
  • spasm or constriction of the arteries of the brain
  • swelling
  • stroke
  • seizures
  • intracerebral hemorrhage
  • coma
• pressure damage to the eyes, permanent blindness
• pressure damage to the heart
  • decreased cardiac output
  • heart attack
  • angina
• pulmonary edema
• kidney failure

Go to the emergency room or call your local emergency number (such as 911) if symptoms of malignant hypertension develop. This is an emergency condition!

Call your health care provider if you know you have poorly controlled high blood pressure.

Review Date: 09/13/2005
Reviewed By: Robert Mushnick, M.D., Clinical Assistant Professor, SUNY Downstate Health Center, Brooklyn, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.