Emergency department blood pressure elevations frequently occur without documented hypertension diagnosis.
D, K., Jr, M.P., KA, P., GA, P., & P, L. (2026). Emergency department blood pressure elevations frequently occur without documented hypertension diagnosis.. Journal of hypertension. https://doi.org/10.1097/HJH.0000000000004417
D K, Jr MP, KA P, GA P, P L. Emergency department blood pressure elevations frequently occur without documented hypertension diagnosis.. Journal of hypertension. 2026; doi: 10.1097/HJH.0000000000004417
D K, Jr MP, KA P, et al. Emergency department blood pressure elevations frequently occur without documented hypertension diagnosis.[J]. Journal of hypertension. 2026. DOI: 10.1097/HJH.0000000000004417.
@article{d2026,
author = {Kuhn D and Musey PI Jr and Pollard KA and Parrelli GA and Levy P},
title = {Emergency department blood pressure elevations frequently occur without documented hypertension diagnosis.},
journal = {Journal of hypertension},
year = {2026},
doi = {10.1097/HJH.0000000000004417},
note = {PMID: 42644443},
}
TY - JOUR AU - Kuhn D AU - Musey PI Jr AU - Pollard KA AU - Parrelli GA AU - Levy P TI - Emergency department blood pressure elevations frequently occur without documented hypertension diagnosis. T2 - Journal of hypertension PY - 2026 DO - 10.1097/HJH.0000000000004417 AN - PMID:42644443 ER -
BACKGROUND: High blood pressure readings (HBPRs) are common in emergency department (ED) patients, but the frequency of HBPRs among patients without a documented diagnosis of hypertension (DDxHTN) is unclear. METHODS: We performed a retrospective study of discharged ED encounters at a large Midwestern academic ED in 2024. HBPRs were defined as blood pressure ≥130 mmHg systolic or ≥80 mmHg diastolic. RESULTS: Among 66 624 discharged encounters with blood pressure data, 52 461 (78.7%) had at least one HBPR and 38 715 (58.1%) had at least one Stage 2-range HBPR (≥140/90 mmHg). Among patients with Stage 2-range HBPRs, 22 471 (58.0%) lacked DDxHTN. Older age, female sex, Black race, absence of interpreter need, and Medicare or Medicaid coverage were independently associated with DDxHTN. CONCLUSIONS: More than half of discharged ED patients with Stage 2-range HBPRs lacked DDxHTN, and many had only a single documented blood pressure. The ED may provide an opportunity for blood pressure reassessment and outpatient referral.