Hypertensive crisis: Hypertensive emergencies and urgencies

The prevalence of hypertension is increasing as the definitions of optimal blood pressure become more stringent. With the increasing prevalence of the disease, early diagnosis and treatment of high blood pressure is crucially important. Unfortunately, awareness of blood pressure monitoring and treatment is suboptimal, which may lead to higher prevalence of hypertensive crises including hypertensive emergencies and urgencies. The demographics, pathophysiology, clinical manifestations, evaluation, and management of hypertensive crisis are elaborated in this article.