The term hypertension (HT) is a chronic condition that leads to damage to
target organs if untreated expediently. On the other hand, a hypertensive emergency
refers to an acute elevation in blood pressure (BP) with evidence of end-organ injury,
while hypertensive urgency defines acute BP elevation without progressive target
organ dysfunction. Hypertensive emergencies comprise pulmonary edema/left
ventricular failure, coronary syndromes, neurological deficits/intracranial hemorrhage,
acute kidney injury, retinal hemorrhages, dissecting aortic aneurysm, and eclampsia.
The BP needs to be decreased expediently in the management of hypertensive
emergencies. In the rest of the cases, the BP should be reduced in a gradual manner to
preclude dangerously reduced cerebral perfusion pressure.
HT is also linked to COVID-19 as a comorbidity linked to a severe clinical course of
the infection. On the other hand, dissecting aortic aneurysm (DAA) is most commonly
seen after the age of 50 in hypertensive men who smoke. Most emergent aortic diseases
appear to be a complication of HT and represents a major threat to public health.
Clinicians should be alerted to recognize untreated patient with HT and aortic
catastrophes in the emergency setting and primary care institutions.
Keywords: Aortic aneurysm, Aortic diseases, Aortic dissection, Hypertensive
emergency, Hypertensive urgency.
