Symptoms signal high blood pressure emergency

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Community

June 3, 2018 - 11:00 PM

To Your Good Health

DEAR DR. ROACH:

At what point is high blood pressure a medical emergency (i.e., needs to be treated TODAY, or at least before, say, going out of the country next week)?

I’ve never had an issue with high blood pressure — at a gynecology appointment last year it was fine, and at a general internist appointment the year prior it also was fine. In the past few days, though, I’ve had really high numbers: 140/81, 161/97,167/109 and 171/98. I’m looking for a new internist (mine retired) and have a message in to one recommended by my gynecologist, but do I need to find someone (anyone) today? Or at least in the next few days? — C.P.

ANSWER: High blood pressure is an emergency when it is causing symptoms or ongoing damage to your organs. It is called “urgent” when the number is very, very high (usually greater than 180/120) but without symptoms or evidence of organ damage.

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