In a hypertensive emergency, what can result if blood pressure is not lowered immediately?

In a hypertensive emergency, failure to lower blood pressure immediately can lead to significant damage to vital organs, particularly the heart. During such emergencies, the elevated blood pressure can cause excessive strain on the cardiovascular system. This means that the heart has to work much harder to pump blood against higher resistance, which can lead to conditions such as heart failure, acute coronary syndrome, or myocardial infarction.

Moreover, the increased pressure can contribute to the rupture of blood vessels, leading to ischemic damage in the heart muscle. Immediate intervention is crucial to prevent these severe complications and to protect the heart's function and overall health. Proper management involves rapid but controlled reduction of blood pressure to stabilize the patient and prevent irreversible damage to cardiac tissue.