HYPERTENSIVE URGENCY WITH BEYOND-THE-SPHYGMOMANOMETER SYSTOLIC BLOOD PRESSURE IN GENERAL HOSPITAL OJI RIVER, ENUGU STATE, SOUTHEAST NIGERIA

Emmanuel I. Umegbolu*and David C. Ikwuka

ABSTRACT

Hypertensive urgency is defined as severe hypertension (with diastolic pressure > 120 mm Hg) without end-organ damage. The case reported was that of a 64-year old woman, a known hypertensive, who presented to our hospital, General Hospital Oji River, with a systolic blood pressure (BP) that was above 300 mmHg, and therefore could not be measured. Her general condition was stable, hence she was managed as a case of hypertensive urgency with a parenteral antihypertensive drug after a period of rest. After about 4 hours on admission, following the initial treatment, her systolic BP came down to 220/80 mm Hg. She was discharged home the next day to continue with her oral drugs, and to return to the hospital in one week’s time for a follow-up.

Keywords: Hypertension, urgency, severe, General Hospital, Oji River.