Managing Autonomic Dysreflexia

Autonomic Dysreflexia is a medical condition that causes a rapid rise in blood pressure and lowers your heart rate.

This is due to an irritation or overactivity of the nervous system below the level of your injury (only affects people with spinal cord injuries T6 and above), resulting in a massive constriction of blood vessels, and cannot be regulated properly by the brain.

It is a medical emergency, as high blood pressure can lead to stroke, organ failure, and even death.

It is therefore important to be aware of the warning signs and causes.

Warning signs:

  • Pounding headache

  • Profuse sweating

  • Blotchiness or rash over the skin above the level of injury

  • Goosebumps and chills

  • Stuffy nose

  • Blurred vision

  • Nausea or feeling unwell

  • Shortness of breath or feeling anxious

Causes:

  • Bladder causes - such as an overfull bladder, kinked drainage tube, or urinary tract infection

  • Bowel causes - such as constipation, not going to the toilet for a long time, or inflamed haemorrhoids

  • Skin causes - such as excess pressure from contact with hard or sharp objects, pressure injuries, ingrown toenails, or sunburn

  • Sexual causes - such as genital stimulation and infections, orgasm, or menstruation

If you think you are experiencing Autonomic Dysreflexia, here’s what you can do:

There is no such thing as mild, moderate, or severe Autonomic Dysreflexia. Every case is an emergency.

If warning signs do not subside and/or blood pressure remains high, call 000 for an ambulance.

In preparation for any potential episodes, here are some tips:

  • At every doctor’s appointment, get your blood pressure checked

    • If you are at risk of Autonomic Dysreflexia, consider getting a blood pressure monitor for home

  • Carry an Autonomic Dysreflexia emergency card with you

    • If you don’t have one, ask your spinal cord injury provider to arrange one for you

  • Keep track of and record any relevant symptoms, and know when they resolve quickly or continue to occur

Helpful Resources

Here are some additional sources about autonomic dysreflexia:

You may also like our own pages on:

Other useful resources/podcasts:

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