A high blood pressure – or hypertensive – crisis occurs when your blood pressure rises severely and quickly, with readings of 180/120 or higher. There are dangerous consequences of uncontrolled high blood pressure with a reading of 180/120 or greater, which can include: stroke; loss of consciousness; memory loss; heart attack; damage to the eyes and kidneys; loss of kidney function; aortic dissection; angina; pulmonary edema; and eclampsia in pregnant women. If your blood pressure reads at 180/120 or greater, you may experience the following symptoms: severe headache; shortness of breath; nosebleeds; and severe anxiety. If you experience any of symptoms – such as chest pain, shortness of breath, back pain, numbness/weakness, change in vision, or difficulty speaking – in addition to your elevated blood pressure, than you are experiencing a hypertensive emergency then call 911 immediately. If you do not experience any of those associated symptoms, then wait five minutes and check your blood pressure again; in that case, you are experiencing a hypertensive urgency, and your healthcare practitioner may just adjust your medication or add to your medication regime, but it rarely requires that you be hospitalized. However, you should still seek medical attention as, if left untreated, it can cause complications and conditions that could be fatal.