Differential Diagnosis for Hypertensive Emergency
Single Most Likely Diagnosis
- Hypertensive Heart Disease: This is the most likely diagnosis, as uncontrolled hypertension can lead to heart failure, coronary artery disease, and cardiac arrhythmias, all of which can present as a hypertensive emergency.
Other Likely Diagnoses
- Pheochromocytoma: A rare tumor of the adrenal gland that can cause episodic hypertension, which may present as a hypertensive emergency.
- Renal Artery Stenosis: Narrowing of the renal arteries can cause renovascular hypertension, leading to a hypertensive emergency.
- Primary Aldosteronism: Excess production of aldosterone can cause resistant hypertension, potentially leading to a hypertensive emergency.
Do Not Miss Diagnoses
- Aortic Dissection: A life-threatening condition where the aorta tears, which can be precipitated by severe hypertension. Missing this diagnosis can be fatal.
- Intracranial Hemorrhage: Severe hypertension can cause bleeding in the brain, which is a medical emergency.
- Pulmonary Edema: Fluid accumulation in the lungs due to heart failure, which can be caused by uncontrolled hypertension.
- Eclampsia: Seizures in a pregnant woman with preeclampsia, which is a hypertensive disorder of pregnancy.
Rare Diagnoses
- Cushing's Syndrome: A rare endocrine disorder caused by excess cortisol production, which can lead to hypertension.
- Hyperthyroidism: Excess thyroid hormone production can cause hypertension, although it is a rare cause of hypertensive emergency.
- Coarctation of the Aorta: A congenital narrowing of the aorta, which can cause severe hypertension, particularly in young patients.
- Vasculitis: Inflammation of blood vessels, which can cause hypertension, although it is a rare cause of hypertensive emergency.