What is the management of severe HTN?
Pts with malignant or severe HTN (diastolic BP > 140 mmHg) should be admitted to hospital for treatment
AIM: reduce diastolic BP slowly (over 24-48 hours) to around 100-110 mmHg
→ usually achieved with antihypertensives (atenolol or amlodipine)
→ can give sublingual or IV but NOT recommended as they can produce a severe fall in BP → cerebral infarction
When you require rapid control of BP (e.g. aortic dissection) → IV sodium nitroprusside or labetalol