Hypertension
(Last Updated - 7/3/2007)

-Hypertensive Crisis:
     -any of the below situations with high BP's requiring a rapid decrease in BP to limit end-organ damage
     1) Unstable Angina
     2) Acute MI
     3) Encephalopathy
     4) Acute Retinopathy (Retinal Artery Spasm)
     5) Nephropathy
     6) Heart Failure
     7) Dissecting Aneurysm

     -intense hyperreninemia may induce resulting hypokalemia

     -Treatment:
          -Decrease BP by 25% within 2 hrs
          -Goal BP of 160/100 within 6 hrs
          -IV Agents:
               1) Nitroprusside
               2) Labetalol
               3) CCB's
          -Rapid-Acting Oral Agents:
               1) Loop Diuretics
               2) Beta-Blockers
               3) Alpha-2-Blockers
               4) CCB's

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