Malignant Hypertension

Abstract Malignant hypertension (MHT), synonymous with hypertensive emergency, is an acute, life-threatening condition characterized by a severe elevation in blood pressure accompanied by progressive dysfunction of target organs. It represents a failure of cerebral, renal, and cardiovascular autoregulation, leading to a cascade of vascular injury. This article reviews the pathophysiology, clinical presentation, diagnostic criteria, and evidence-based management principles for MHT, emphasizing the need for immediate, controlled blood pressure reduction in an intensive care setting to mitigate morbidity and mortality.