[Hypertensive emergencies at Bogodogo University Hospital, Ouagadougou (Burkina Faso)].

Introduction: Hypertensive emergencies are defined as hypertensive crisis with signs of visceral distress. They are relatively common and require urgent, but not necessarily normotensive, antihypertensive therapy. The aim of this study was to describe the epidemiology of hypertensive emergencies..

Patients and methods: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study conducted from March 5, 2017, to December 31, 2023, at the cardiology department of the Bogodogo University Hospital (CHU-B), Burkina Faso. All patients admitted to the department for hypertensive emergencies were included in the study. Epidemiologic, sociodemographic, clinical, paraclinical, therapeutic, and evolutionary characteristics were evaluated in a descriptive analysis.

Results: Among 2,610 hospitalized patients, 96 cases of hypertensive emergencies were identified, representing a prevalence of 3.6%. Mean age was 50.5 (±10.4) years. Cardiovascular risk factors were hypertension, sedentary lifestyle, diabetes, and smoking in 80.8%, 72.3%, 12.7%, and 9.5% of cases, respectively. Headache was the most common reason for consultation (46.8% of cases), followed by dizziness (19.1%). Ischemic stroke and acute pulmonary edema were observed in 18.7% of cases.

Conclusion: Hypertensive emergencies are quite frequent at CHU-B and the majority of patients are relatively young.