What symptoms can occur with malignant nephrosclerosis?
Malignant nephrosclerosis is a severe condition characterized by the rapid hardening and damage of the kidney's small arteries and arterioles due to extremely high blood pressure. Because this disease progresses quickly, it often manifests through symptoms resulting from a drastic increase in pressure.12
Common symptoms associated with malignant nephrosclerosis include:
- Severe headache12
- Confusion1
- Blurred vision or impaired vision12
- Nausea and vomiting1
If the condition is not treated promptly to lower blood pressure, it can lead to further complications, including heart failure, seizures, and coma. Additionally, general symptoms of nephrosclerosis may include blood in the urine, weight loss, and uremia—the accumulation of nitrogenous waste products in the blood.1
Because malignant nephrosclerosis can cause rapid destruction of renal substance and damage to other vital organs, it is considered a medical emergency that requires immediate intervention.12