- With Mayo Clinic emeritus hypertension specialist
Sheldon G. Sheps, M.D.
read biographyclose windowBiography of
Sheldon G. Sheps, M.D.
Sheldon G. Sheps, M.D.
Dr. Sheldon Sheps, emeritus professor of medicine and former chair of the Hypertension Division in the Department of Medicine at Mayo Clinic, has been with Mayo Clinic since 1960.
Dr. Sheps, a Winnipeg, Manitoba, native, is board certified in internal medicine and specializes in hypertension and peripheral vascular diseases. He developed a multidisciplinary approach with specially trained nurses, dietitians, technicians and educators to help form a team approach to the treatment of patients with abnormal blood pressure.
"I have always believed in involving the patient and family in their health care," he says. "I have asked for their understanding of the illness and issues and for participation in decisions. The Web is a natural extension of that, and now many more people can be informed."
Dr. Sheps chaired the sixth working group, and participated in the fourth, fifth and seventh groups, that developed the then-latest guidelines for hypertension under the auspices of the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI). He helped write the latest American Heart Association (AHA) report on blood pressure measurement. He chaired an AHA group that produced an online accreditation for blood pressure measurement for health professionals. He has co-authored books, newsletters, CD-ROMs and other Mayo Clinic health information material and joined Mayo Clinic's Web team in 1998. He was medical editor-in-chief of both editions of the "Mayo Clinic on High Blood Pressure" book; the last edition was published in 2003. He was also medical editor-in-chief of "Mayo Clinic 5 Steps to Controlling High Blood Pressure,'' published in 2008.
He was section editor for each of the first three editions of "Hypertension Primer" for the American Heart Association.
Dr. Sheps was also chairman of the Science Base Subcommittee, National High Blood Pressure Education Program, and was a consultant to the Hypertension Initiative of the World Health Organization. In 1997, he was honored with the Individual Achievement Award on the 25th anniversary of the National High Blood Pressure Education Program of NHLBI. In 2009, he was honored as a Distinguished Mayo Alumnus.
More answers
- Diuretics: A cause of low potassium?
- Free blood pressure machines: Are they accurate?
- Anxiety: A cause of high blood pressure?
- Water softeners: How much sodium do they add?
- L-arginine: Does it lower blood pressure?
- Resperate: Can it help reduce blood pressure?
- Pulse pressure: An indicator of heart health?
- Blood pressure medication: Still necessary if I lose weight?
- Menopause and high blood pressure: What's the connection?
- Blood pressure cuff: Does size matter?
- High blood pressure and cold remedies: Which are safe?
- Blood pressure readings: Why higher at home?
- Blood pressure: Can it be higher in one arm?
- Alcohol: Does it affect blood pressure?
- Calcium supplements: Do they interfere with blood pressure drugs?
- Sleep deprivation: A cause of high blood pressure?
- Wrist blood pressure monitors: Are they accurate?
- Blood pressure: Does it have a daily pattern?
- Beta blockers: Do they cause weight gain?
- Blood pressure medications: Can they raise my triglycerides?
- Blood pressure: Is it affected by weather?
- Beta blockers: How do they affect exercise?
- Weightlifting: Bad for your blood pressure?
- Caffeine: How does it affect blood pressure?
- Isolated systolic hypertension: A health concern?
- see all
Mayo Clinic Health Manager
Get free personalized health guidance for you and your family.
Get Started
Mayo Clinic Housecall
Stay up to date on the latest health information.
What you get
- Free weekly e-newsletter
- Mayo Clinic expertise
- Recipes, tools and other helpful information
- We do not share your e-mail address
Question
Hypertensive crisis: What are the symptoms?
What is the definition of a hypertensive crisis? If I notice a spike in my blood pressure, what should I do?
Answer
from Sheldon G. Sheps, M.D.
A hypertensive crisis is a severe increase in blood pressure that can lead to a stroke. Extremely high blood pressure — above 180/110 millimeters of mercury (mm Hg) — damages blood vessels. They become inflamed and may leak fluid or blood. As a result, the heart may not be able to maintain adequate circulation of blood. A hypertensive crisis is divided into two categories: urgent and emergency.
Signs and symptoms of an urgent hypertensive crisis may include:
- Elevated blood pressure
- Severe headache
- Severe anxiety
- Shortness of breath
During an emergency hypertensive crisis, you may experience life-threatening signs and symptoms, such as:
- Fluid in your lungs (pulmonary edema)
- Brain swelling or bleeding
- A tear in your aorta (aortic dissection)
- Heart attack
- Stroke
- Eclampsia, if you are pregnant.
If you experience a severe increase in your blood pressure (above 180/110 mm Hg), seek immediate medical attention. Treatment for hypertensive crisis may include oral medications, intravenous medications and hospitalization.
Next question
