Hypertensive Urgency

Hypertensive urgency is a condition characterised by severely elevated blood pressure (typically ≥180/120 mmHg) without acute end-organ damage. It is clinically significant as it requires prompt management to prevent progression to hypertensive emergency, which can lead to life-threatening complications such as stroke or myocardial infarction. A key association is poorly controlled hypertension, often seen in patients with non-adherence to antihypertensive therapy or underlying renal disease.