1st April 2022

A 57-year-old man presents to A&E, with a severe headache

A 57-year-old man presents to A&E, with a severe headache. His blood pressure is 210/162 mmHg. He is also feeling sweaty, flushed, dizzy, and panicked. He has had a few headaches like this before in the past few weeks, and had put them down to stress – but this is the worst one he has had. He is otherwise fit and well. A CT head is done, which shows no acute bleed. He is admitted to AMU for a lumbar puncture, which is also normal. The patient remains hypertensive despite treatment with several anti-hypertensives. Subsequent investigations reveal elevated levels of urinary metanephrines. 

Which of the following statements regarding the management of this condition is correct?

Select the SINGLE most appropriate option from the list below. Select ONE option only.