Malignant hypertension is defined by high blood pressure with signs of acute end-organ damage.

Malignant hypertension is defined by high blood pressure with signs of acute end-organ damage.

• A. True
• B. False
• C. Not necessarily
• D. Only in elderly

Answer: (A)

Malignant hypertension is a hypertensive emergency defined by markedly elevated blood pressure with signs of acute end-organ injury. This combination signals that the very high pressure is causing immediate damage to organs such as the eyes (papilledema, retinal hemorrhages/exudates), kidneys, or brain (encephalopathy). Because the end-organ damage is part of the defining picture, the statement is true. It isn’t limited to older adults and can occur at various ages.

Malignant hypertension is a hypertensive emergency defined by markedly elevated blood pressure with signs of acute end-organ injury. This combination signals that the very high pressure is causing immediate damage to organs such as the eyes (papilledema, retinal hemorrhages/exudates), kidneys, or brain (encephalopathy). Because the end-organ damage is part of the defining picture, the statement is true. It isn’t limited to older adults and can occur at various ages.