Blood pressure may be extremely high. If not already present, acute renal failure may develop as a complication of malignant hypertension. Other complications may also develop. Intravenous medications such as nitroprusside, nitroglycerin, or others may reduce blood pressure . The medication may need to be adjusted occasionally.
Hypertension can be difficult to control.
If treated promptly, malignant hypertension is often controlled without permanent complications. If it is not treated promptly, complications may be severe and life threatening. Call your health care provider if known hypertension is poorly controlled. A sphygmomanometer is used to measure blood pressure, and is the most accurate method. Blood pressure is measured against the height of a column of mercury.