HYPERTENSIVE CRISIS AND ATMOSPHERIC PRESSURE RELATIONSHIP

Hypertensive emergency is defined as grade 3 hypertension (systolic ≥180 and/or diastolic ≥110 mmHg) that causes end-organ damage, requiring urgent intervention and intensive care admission . Hypertensive crisis is described as severe hypertension not associated with end-organ damage. Some sources define hypertensive crisis as hypertension of grade 3 or higher, while others refer to it as severe hypertension without specifying a threshold .

Literature reviews, published guidelines, and studies indicate that the definitions and treatment approaches for hypertensive crisis differ between Europe and America, with variations in management from one physician to another . Seasonal blood pressure fluctuations are influenced by external temperature, indoor temperature, humidity, atmospheric pressure, and wind . Notably, during periods of low atmospheric pressure, blood pressure measurements show statistically significant increases compared to other days . Consequently, the frequency of life-threatening conditions associated with hypertension, such as intracranial hemorrhage and abdominal aortic aneurysm rupture, has been observed to increase on days when atmospheric pressure changes .

In our study, we aim to investigate the relationship between the onset times of symptoms and the regions of patients presenting to the emergency department with hypertensive crisis (systolic ≥180 and/or diastolic ≥110 mmHg) and the fluctuations in atmospheric pressure

Inclusion criteria

• Age 18 and above
• Hypertensive crisis (systolic ≥180 and/or diastolic ≥110 mmHg)

Exclusion criteria

• Patients presenting with hypertensive emergency (those with end-organ damage)
• Patients who have traveled to another city or district within the last 4 days
• Pregnant patients