Medical Advisory BoardAll articles are reviewed for accuracy by our Medical Advisory Board
Educational purpose only • Exercise caution as content is pending human review
Article Review Status
Submitted
Under Review
Approved

Last updated: October 9, 2025View editorial policy

Personalize

Help us tailor your experience

Which best describes you? Your choice helps us use language that's most understandable for you.

Differential Diagnosis for Sudden Tonic-Clonic Seizure in an Older Adult

Single Most Likely Diagnosis

  • Hypertensive Encephalopathy: Given the patient's history of hypertension (HTN), a sudden tonic-clonic seizure could be indicative of hypertensive encephalopathy, a condition where severely elevated blood pressure leads to brain dysfunction, including seizures.

Other Likely Diagnoses

  • Stroke or Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA): Although the patient has no recent illness, a stroke or TIA could present with a seizure, especially in older adults with hypertension.
  • Metabolic Disorders: Electrolyte imbalances (e.g., hyponatremia, hypocalcemia) or other metabolic issues could precipitate a seizure, particularly in the context of underlying conditions like hypertension.
  • Medication Side Effects: Certain medications, including those used to treat hypertension or low testosterone, could potentially lower the seizure threshold.

Do Not Miss Diagnoses

  • Subarachnoid Hemorrhage: A sudden, severe headache accompanied by a seizure could indicate a subarachnoid hemorrhage, which is a medical emergency.
  • Meningitis or Encephalitis: Infections of the brain or meninges, although less common in this presentation, could lead to seizures and are critical to diagnose promptly due to their high morbidity and mortality.
  • Brain Tumor: Although rare, a new-onset seizure in an older adult could be the first presentation of a brain tumor.

Rare Diagnoses

  • Vasculitis: Conditions like central nervous system vasculitis could present with seizures among other neurological symptoms, but are less common.
  • Mitochondrial Disorders: Certain mitochondrial myopathies can present with seizures, among a wide range of other symptoms, but are rare and typically have other systemic manifestations.
  • Paraneoplastic Syndromes: These are rare disorders that are triggered by an altered immune system response to a neoplasm, and can sometimes present with seizures as an initial symptom.

Professional Medical Disclaimer

This information is intended for healthcare professionals. Any medical decision-making should rely on clinical judgment and independently verified information. The content provided herein does not replace professional discretion and should be considered supplementary to established clinical guidelines. Healthcare providers should verify all information against primary literature and current practice standards before application in patient care. Dr.Oracle assumes no liability for clinical decisions based on this content.

Have a follow-up question?

Our Medical A.I. is used by practicing medical doctors at top research institutions around the world. Ask any follow up question and get world-class guideline-backed answers instantly.