hypertensive crisis hypertensive crisis severely elevated blood pressure (equal to or greater than a systolic 180 or diastolic of 120—sometimes termed malignant or accelerated hypertension) is referred to as a hypertensive crisis, as blood pressure at this level confers a high risk of complications. people with blood pressures in this range may have no symptoms, but are more likely to report headaches (22% of cases) and dizziness than the general population. other symptoms accompanying a hypertensive crisis may include visual deterioration due to retinopathy, breathlessness due to heart failure, or a general feeling of malaise due to kidney failure. most people with a hypertensive crisis are known to have elevated blood pressure, but additional triggers may have led to a sudden rise.