Hypertensive encephalopathy refers to a critical lesion in which the brain functions abnormally with various symptoms due to a rapid increase in blood pressure. Patients with hypertension, such as diastolic blood pressure greater than 100 mmHg and systolic blood pressure greater than 180 mmHg, exceed the self-protection threshold of the cerebral circulation, causing hyperperfusion of cerebral blood flow and excessive capillary pressure, which can lead to cerebral edema, producing increased intracranial pressure and even the formation of brain herniation. Symptoms such as severe headache, nausea, and vomiting occur, and in severe cases, serious conditions such as coma may occur. Hypertensive encephalopathy generally has an acute onset, and the corresponding clinical symptoms of increased intracranial pressure can be manifested within 6 to 12 hours of elevated blood pressure; for example, the patient will have a severe headache, jet vomiting, cervical tonicity, optic papillary edema, and possibly generalized convulsions. Severe cases are also likely to have disorders of consciousness, agitation, drowsiness and coma, and confusion may occur. In severe cases, the respiratory system may be affected, resulting in paroxysmal dyspnea, water-electrolyte disturbances, and other symptoms of brain dysfunction, such as aphasia, hemiparesis, hemianopia, black blindness, and temporary blindness. In conclusion, hypertensive encephalopathy is a clinically serious disease with a relatively acute incidence. It must be given high priority and timely medical attention.