An update on hypertensive emergencies and urgencies

Severe acute arterial hypertension is usually defined as‘hypertensive crisis’, although ‘hypertensive emergencies’or ‘hypertensive urgencies’, as suggested by the JointNational Committee and the European Society ofHypertension, have completely different diagnostic andtherapeutic approaches.The prevalence and demographics of hypertensiveemergencies and urgencies have changed over the last fourdecades, but hypertensive emergencies and urgencies arestill associated with significant morbidity and mortality.Different scientific societies have repeatedly produced upto-date guidelines; however, the treatment of hypertensiveemergencies and urgencies is still inappropriate, withpotential clinical implications.This review focuses on hypertensive emergencies andurgencies management and treatment, as suggested byrecent data.