Emergency Department Treatment of Elevated Blood Pressure in the Headache Patient.

Authors

Lauren Eberhardt, Corewell Health East Resident
Michelle Jankowski
Brett Todd, Corewell Health East

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

2024

Publication Title

Acute Medicine

Abstract

Headache accounts for 1 - 3% of emergency department (ED) visits globally and is associated with elevated blood pressure (BP). It is unclear if anti-hypertensive therapy provides benefits. This retrospective study assessed effects of anti-hypertensive therapy in ED headache patients on rescue analgesic need, hospital admissions, and length of stay (LOS). 1385 patients were included. 366 received anti-hypertensive therapy. The anti-hypertensive therapy cohort was older (p < 0.001) with increased odds of admission (p < 0.001) and 2.385 hrs longer ED LOS (p < 0.001). No difference in rescue analgesia was found (p < 0.429). Anti-hypertensive therapy in hypertensive ED headache patients is associated with increased hospital admission and ED LOS, but no difference in rescue analgesia utilization.

Volume

23

Issue

2

First Page

75

Last Page

80

Recommended Citation

Eberhardt L, Jankowski M, Todd B. Emergency department treatment of elevated blood pressure in the headache patient. Acute Med. 2024;23(2):75-80. PMID: 39132730.

ISSN

1747-4892

PubMed ID

39132730