Results were consistent across sensitivity analyses with no evidence of pleiotropy or heterogeneity.<h4>Conclusions</h4>This Mendelian randomization study provides evidence that genetically determined levels of IL-2, IL-4, and NT-3 are protective against hypertensive encephalopathy, while CXCL11 is a risk factor. Here, CXCL11 is linked to hypertensive encephalopathy.