Clinical overview of hypertensive encephalopathy

Hypertensive encephalopathy is a neurological dysfunction induced by malignant hypertension. The term "hypertensive encephalopathy" was introduced to describe this type of encephalopathy by Oppenheimer and Fishberg in 1928. Hypertensive encephalopathy refers to the transient migratory neurologic symptoms that are associated with the malignant state in a hypertensive emergency and the clinical symptoms are usually reversible with prompt initiation of therapy. Hypertensive encephalopathy occurs in eclampsia, acute nephritis and crises in essential hypertension. Symptoms of hypertensive encephalopathy include headache, restlessness, nausea, disturbances of consciousness, seizures, bleeding in the retina, and papilledema. Focal brain lesions may be associated with specific neurological symptoms. These neurological impairments may culminate in a comaif not treated properly and adequately.