What can be the consequences of untreated malignant hypertension?

Untreated malignant hypertension can lead to significant systemic effects due to the extreme elevation in blood pressure that damages blood vessels and organs throughout the body. This condition, characterized by severely elevated blood pressure often accompanied by end-organ damage, can result in life-threatening complications.

For example, systemic effects may include acute kidney injury, cardiac failure, and neurological impairments such as hypertensive encephalopathy or stroke. The continuous strain on organs can cause them to fail, leading to serious health crises.

This understanding underscores the critical nature of managing malignant hypertension, as the systemic damage progresses rapidly without treatment.