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Warning signs
The following warning signs are indicators that there may be a serious problem. Autonomic dysreflexia occurs when you experience a sudden rise in your blood pressure of 20 mmHg or more above your normal blood pressure.
Please note: Your normal blood pressure may be quite low at other times, so the early rise in blood pressure may still be within the range considered normal for a person without a spinal cord injury.
The signs and symptoms of autonomic dysreflexia include any of the following:
Pounding headache
Stuffy nose
Profuse sweating
Blurred vision
Blotchiness or rash over skin
Nausea or feeling unwell
Goosebumps and chills
Shortness of breath
or feeling anxious
Management index
Autonomic dysreflexia can vary in its duration and/or frequency as described in the table below.
Problem | Autonomic dysreflexia resolves quickly | Autonomic dysreflexia does not resolve – this is an emergency |
|---|---|---|
Autonomic dysreflexia | Cause identified, an episode of autonomic dysreflexia that resolves quickly (and does not recur) | An episode of autonomic dysreflexia that does not subside and/or blood pressure remains high Recurrent autonomic dysreflexia Frequent autonomic dysreflexia |
There is no such thing as mild, moderate or severe autonomic dysreflexia. Every case of autonomic dysreflexia is an emergency.
If warning signs do not subside and/or blood pressure remains high, call 000 for an ambulance.