Safety net primary care for emergency physicians: Diagnosis and treatment of asymptomatic hypertension

Hypertension is a major modifiable risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Asymptomatic hypertension is a common presenting chief concern and incidentally noted vital sign abnormality in the emergency department. Elevated blood pressure readings in the ED may be inappropriately attributed to pain, or other factors. Although there are clear dangers of rapidly lowering blood pressure in patients with asymptomatic hypertension, recent literature demonstrates the potential benefits associated with prescriptions for antihypertensive medications at the time of emergency department discharge. This article reviews relevant based literature and clinical policy statements regarding diagnosis and treatment of asymptomatic hypertension in the ED and highlights clinically useful information for emergency physicians from recently published guidelines regarding best practices in the care of patients with hypertensive disorders.