Characteristics and Management of Patients Presenting to the Emergency Department With Hypertensive Urgency

Few studies have examined the characteristics of patients presenting with hypertensive urgency, factors contributing to their presentation, or their management. The time and cost associated with treatment are unknown. Retrospective analysis of 50 emergency department patients with hypertensive urgency (symptomatic blood pressure (BP) elevation focusing on systolic BP >180 mm Hg or diastolic BP >110 mm Hg) was performed. The hospital database was queried to determine the cost of the average treat‐and‐release visit. The mean age was 54.3±15.6 years; 64% were female; 46% were black; 90% had diagnosed hypertension. The mean presenting BP was 198±27.6/109±17.3 mm Hg; 66% had systolic BP >180 mm Hg, and 38% had diastolic BP >110 mm Hg. Initially, 30% were not on antihypertensives, and 28% were on monotherapy. Headache (42%) and dizziness (30%) were most frequently reported symptoms. Presentation was most often attributed to running out of medication (16%). IV and oral labetalol were given to 28% and 24% of patients, respectively. Fifty‐six percent of patients had no change in baseline therapy at discharge. The average emergency department stay was 5 hours 17 minutes ± 4 hours 27 minutes. The average cost for similar visits in 2004 was $1543 per visit. Emergency department visits for hypertensive urgency are related mostly to noncompliance. Labetalol was the most frequently used therapy. Management in the primary care office could result in substantial cost savings.