Chart — Med-Surg
Hypertension Target Organ Damage Chart
Why the “silent killer” matters. Years of high pressure quietly injure five targets — heart, brain, kidneys, eyes, and vessels. This is the “so what” behind every BP reading.
Educational use only. This chart is an educational overview. Assessment and management of organ damage are provider-directed. This material supports nursing education and exam review. It is not medical advice and is not a substitute for clinical judgment, institutional policy, or medical direction. Always follow facility protocols and current provider orders.
Damage by Organ
| Target organ | Damage | Assessment clue |
|---|---|---|
| Heart | Left ventricular hypertrophy → heart failure; coronary artery disease, MI, atrial fibrillation | Dyspnea, edema, S4/displaced PMI, LVH on ECG/echo, angina |
| Brain | Stroke (ischemic & hemorrhagic), TIA, hypertensive encephalopathy, vascular dementia | Focal deficits, severe headache, confusion, vision change |
| Kidneys | Hypertensive nephrosclerosis → chronic kidney disease | Rising creatinine, proteinuria/albuminuria, falling GFR |
| Eyes | Hypertensive retinopathy (AV nicking, hemorrhages, papilledema) | Blurred vision; retinal changes on fundoscopy |
| Blood vessels | Accelerated atherosclerosis, peripheral artery disease, aortic aneurysm & dissection | Bruits, diminished pulses, claudication, pulsatile mass |
Exam Traps
- ✦The 5 targets: Heart, Brain, Kidneys, Eyes, Vessels — HTN damages all of them silently.
- ✦Acute organ damage is exactly what turns severe HTN into a hypertensive EMERGENCY.
- ✦Heart: LVH → heart failure; Brain: stroke/encephalopathy; Kidney: CKD/proteinuria.
- ✦Eyes: hypertensive retinopathy (AV nicking, papilledema); Vessels: PAD, aneurysm, dissection.
- ✦Controlling BP prevents this damage — the reason adherence matters in a symptomless disease.
Related Resources
Standards & sources
Fact-checked Jun 21, 2026This page is written to align with Academy of Medical-Surgical Nurses (AMSN) · Current medical-surgical nursing standards. It is an educational summary, not a citation of any single document — always verify specific doses, values, and protocols against current guidelines and your facility policy. How we source content →