Labile hypertension is roughly defined as a transient but significant increase in blood pressure, primarily as a result of anxiety and emotional distress, with sympathetic stimulation of adrenergic receptors being the most probable cause. Headaches, flushing, and palpitations may appear as blood pressure increases. At this moment, diagnostic and therapeutic guidelines do not exist and an individualized approach is necessary.
Sudden elevation in the blood pressure may be asymptomatic, but individuals can report headaches, palpitations, and flushing that are provoked by an emotional distress [1]. These findings are important distinguishing criteria from paroxysmal hypertension, in which symptoms cannot be linked to a specific trigger [1].
Defined diagnostic criteria do not exist at this moment [5], but continuous monitoring of patients and their blood pressure is useful in assessing the onset and possible triggers of blood pressure elevations.
Therapeutic guidelines are yet to be defined [1] [5]. For patients who do experience repeated bouts of increased BP prior to basic medical or surgical procedures, anxiolytic agents (lorazepam, alprazolam) and alpha or beta blockers (doxazosin, labetalol, clonidine) may be recommended as a short-term solution [1].
The effects of labile hypertension on the cardiovascular system are unclear [1], but studies have proposed that marked impairment in the quality of life may be present in the elderly [3]. More importantly, labile hypertension may be a significant challenge in patients who suffer from anxiety when visiting a doctor or prior to medical or surgical procedures, which necessitates prophylactic antihypertensive drug use [1].
Anxiety and emotional distress are by far the most common cause of labile hypertension [1], but numerous conditions have been mentioned as potential causes [2]:
The exact incidence rates of labile hypertension in the population are unknown, but it is estimated that more than 40 million adults have uncontrolled blood pressure in the United states and roughly 1% of those individuals will suffer a hypertensive crisis during their lifetime [6]. So far, advanced age is defined as a significant risk factor for labile hypertension and the term labile hypertension in elderly (LHE) was proposed as a distinct clinical entity [3] [4].
Stimulation of adrenergic receptors by emotional stress and anxiety is thought to be the main pathophysiologic event [1]. Fluctuations in blood pressure occur during various physiological and pathological states, however, most common examples being physical activity, sleep deprivation, alcohol intake and numerous cardiovascular and endocrine diseases [1]. For this reason, a clear definition of the term remains to be solidified.
Various strategies exist for preventing essential hypertension (avoidance of cigarette smoking and consumption of high amounts of alcohol, regular exercise, healthy dietary habits, etc), but how labile hypertension can be prevented is still unclear, having in mind the fact that both physiological and pathological events can induce this condition [1].
Labile hypertension is a term that describes sudden, transient blood pressure (BP) elevations, most likely in the setting of emotional distress and anxiety [1], but a myriad of diseases (hyperthyroidism, seizures, migraine attacks, alcohol withdrawal, etc.) may induce this clinical phenomenon as well [2]. Labile hypertension was initially described as a category between normotension and hypertension [1], but BP elevations may be induced by various factors, such as physical activity, intake of salt and alcohol, sleep deprivation and many other, which is why a clear definition of this term is yet to be made [1]. Age is considered to be the most significant risk factor and the term labile hypertension in elderly (LHE) was coined to emphasize its role in the quality of life and overall prognosis in this age group [3] [4]. The pathogenesis is thought to involve stimulation of adrenergic alpha and beta receptors by the sympathetic nervous system in stressful situations and this response may be followed by headaches, palpitations, and flushing, but it is not uncommon for labile hypertension to be asymptomatic [1]. Marked BP elevations frequently occur before medical procedures and physician visits, but the diagnosis may be difficult to attain, as there are no clear diagnostic criteria for the condition, nor do treatment guidelines exist at this moment [1] [5]. Repetitive and frequent BP measurement under carefully planned circumstances may be of use, however, but both diagnosis and management rely on the attending physician [1].
Labile hypertension is a term used to describe transient but a sudden increase in blood pressure, most frequently triggered by emotional stress and anxiety. A range of conditions is thought to induce blood pressure elevations as well, including hyperthyroidism, seizures, migraine headaches and several other, but also physiological conditions such as physical activity. For this reason, clear diagnostic criteria are yet to be defined and so far, the only known risk factor is advanced age. In fact, the term labile hypertension in elderly (LNE) is considered as a separate clinical entity. The clinical presentation may be asymptomatic, but headaches, palpitations, and flushing may be reported by patients immediately after some form of psychological distress. The diagnosis can be suspected through long-term blood pressure monitoring, but it may be difficult to obtain an objective result, as hypertension can occur when visiting a hospital (white coat hypertension) or even during measurement at home. For this reason, therapeutic guidelines do not exist and therapy is only indicated when patients are unable to go through a medical or surgical procedure. At this moments, anxiolytics and alpha or beta blockers are used in these patients. It is still unknown whether this form of hypertension is a risk factor for other cardiovascular diseases and the quality of life in general, but this clinical entity is known to be harmful in the elderly, which is why early recognition may be helpful.