Asymptomatic Hypertension (Deep Dive R23)

Asymptomatic Hypertension

* Make SURE the patient isn’t having symptoms of end organ dysfunction, which could make this hypertensive emergency (confusion, severe headache, blurry vision, weakness, chest pain, shortness of breath, seizures during pregnancy, etc). * ACEP clinical policy states, that in the patient with true asymptomatic hypertension who presents to the emergency department, no routine testing or treatments are indicated. * You risk causing HARM to your patients by treating these asymptomatic patients. For example, if you push IV hydralazine for asymptomatic hypertension in a patient who chronically lives at a BP of 230/120 and their blood pressure drops precipitously, you may cause a stroke/watershed infarcts. * ACEP clinical policy also states that in a patient who has poor access to followup (eg homeless), you may consider routine testing or initiation of long term anti-hypertensive treatment.

Further Reading:

ACEP Clinical Policy – Asymptomatic Hypertension

EM Docs – Hypertensive Emergency