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.
Emergency Department Treatment of Elevated Blood Pressure in the Headache Patient
5th July 2024
PMID: 39132730
| Authors | Affiliations |
|---|---|
| Lauren Eberhardt | Corewell Health |
| Michelle Jankowski | Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine |
| Brett Todd | William Beaumont University Hospital in Corewell Health |
Emergency Department Treatment of Elevated Blood Pressure in the Headache Patient
Cite this article as:
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.
