Table 2.

Diagnostic criteria for headaches in HTN crisis without encephalopathy

A. Headache with at least one of the following characteristics and fulfilling criteria C and D:

1. Bilateral

2. Pulsating quality

3. Precipitated by physical activity

B. Hypertensive crisis defined as a paroxysmal rise in systolic (to > 160 mmHg) and/or diastolic (to > 120 mmHg) blood pressure but no clinical features of hypertensive encephalopathy

C. Headache develops during hypertensive crisis

D. Headache resolves within 1 hour after normalization of blood pressure

E. Appropriate investigations have ruled out vasopressor toxins or medications as causative factors