Malignant or accelerated phase hypertension.

Malignant hypertension is caused by very high blood pressure and can make harm to eyes, kidneys and brain. It can be treated, but temporary damage is possible. Malignant hypertension is not cancer. Another name of it is accelerated phase hypertension.

Malignant hypertension is more dangerous than 'ordinary' high blood pressure. High blood pressure makes slow harm to arteries, the process of damage may continue for many years.
The damage, made by malignant hypertension, continues some weeks. While having high blood pressure, people pay attention to its stage.

When you suffer from hypertension, headache doesn’t trouble you. People, who suffer from malignant hypertension, have frequent headaches, fits, the problems with vision and rapid kidney damage. While having malignant hypertension, it is important to keep in mind how quickly the blood pressure has risen.

Malignant hypertension can be caused by the same things as during high blood pressure. Some people do not know the exact cause of malignant blood pressure. Kidney disease and systemic sclerosis (scleroderma) are some of possible causes. It damages kidney function, the brain and eyes.

People, who have hypertension, do not suffer from headache. In the case of high blood pressure it is possible. People, who have malignant hypertension, suffer from frequent headaches, convulsions and blurred vision. Kidney damage is also possible and can lead to complete renal failure.

After the beginning of treatment the condition of kidney function gets worse, then it gets better. When kidneys are seriously damaged, the process of improvement goes up within weeks or months. In some cases dialysis should be held. The brain or eyes can be also damaged.

Malignant hypertension affect small arteries called arterioles, special harm is made to the arterioles located in the eyes, the brain and the kidneys. The damaged arterioles located in eyes are swollen and can be diagnosed.

The eyes should be examined. Damaged arterioles are diagnosed at the back of the eye, and the optic disk, the place where the optic nerve enters the retina may be swollen. Such condition of the optic disk and arterioles is papilloedema.

Malignant hypertension should be reduced with medicines. It can not be lessened too rapid, for the purpose
tablets, injections or intravenous infusions are used. It is better to apply some medicines. Malignant hypertension is treated in hospital.