| Definition: | Clinical syndrome of markedly high blood pressure with retinal hemorrhages and retinal exudates, and often including confusion, headaches, vomiting, and visual disturbances.
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| Alternative Names: | Accelerated hypertension; Arteriolar nephrosclerosis; Nephrosclerosis - arteriolar; Hypertension - malignant
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| Causes, incidence, and risk factors: | Malignant hypertension is a medical emergency condition where there is a severe rise in the blood pressure. The cause is unknown, but there is often a prior history of hypertension, especially hypertension resulting from kidney disorders (secondary hypertension).
The disorder affects about 1% of hypertension patients including both children and adults. It is more common in younger adults, especially African American men. It also occurs in women with toxemia of pregnancy, and people with renal or collagen vascular disorders. A history of acute renal failure or renal hypertension caused by renal artery stenosis indicates a high risk for malignant hypertension.
There is a sudden, rapid increase in blood pressure, usually for no observable cause. The disorder can cause severe, permanent, life-threatening consequences from pressure damage to multiple organs of the body, including the brain, eyes, blood vessels, heart, and kidneys. The blood vessels of the kidney are highly susceptible to damage caused by pressure, and acute renal failure may develop; this renal failure may be permanent.
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