Primary aldosteronism (al-DOS-tuh-ro-niz-um) is a type of hormonal disorder that leads to high blood pressure. Your adrenal glands produce a number of essential hormones. One of these is aldosterone, which balances sodium and potassium in your blood.
In primary aldosteronism, your adrenal glands produce too much aldosterone, causing you to lose potassium and retain sodium. The excess sodium in turn holds on to water, increasing your blood volume and blood pressure.
Diagnosis and treatment of primary aldosteronism are important because people with this form of high blood pressure have a higher risk of heart disease and stroke. Also, the high blood pressure associated with primary aldosteronism may be curable.
Options for people with primary aldosteronism include medications, lifestyle modifications and surgery.
Source: http://www.mayoclinic.com
The main signs of primary aldosteronism are:
Have your blood pressure checked regularly, especially if you have risk factors for high blood pressure. Ask your doctor about the possibility of having primary aldosteronism if:
Source: http://www.mayoclinic.com
Common conditions causing the overproduction of aldosterone include:
In rare cases, primary aldosteronism may be caused by:
Source: http://www.mayoclinic.com
A variety of tests are available to help diagnose primary aldosteronism.
Initially, your doctor is likely to measure the levels of aldosterone and renin in your blood. Renin is an enzyme released by your kidneys that helps regulate blood pressure. The combination of a very low renin level with a high aldosterone level suggests that primary aldosteronism may be the cause of your high blood pressure.
If the aldosterone-renin test suggests that you might have primary aldosteronism, you'll need another test to confirm the diagnosis, such as one of the following:
If you receive a diagnosis of primary aldosteronism, your doctor will run additional tests to determine whether the underlying cause is an aldosterone-producing adenoma or overactivity of both adrenal glands. Tests may include:
Adrenal vein sampling. A radiologist draws blood from both your right and left adrenal veins and compares the two samples. Aldosterone levels that are significantly higher on one side indicate the presence of an aldosteronoma on that side. Similar aldosterone levels on both sides point to overactivity in both glands.
This test involves placing a tube in a vein in your groin and threading it up to the adrenal veins. Though essential for determining the appropriate treatment, this test carries the risk of bleeding or a blood clot in the vein.
Source: http://www.mayoclinic.com
Primary aldosteronism can lead to high blood pressure and low potassium levels. These complications in turn can lead to other problems.
Persistently elevated blood pressure can lead to problems with your heart and kidneys, including:
High blood pressure caused by primary aldosteronism carries a higher risk of cardiovascular complications than do other types of high blood pressure. This excess risk is due to the high aldosterone levels, which can cause heart and blood vessel damage independent of complications related to high blood pressure.
Some, but not all, people with primary aldosteronism have low potassium levels (hypokalemia). Mild hypokalemia may not cause any symptoms, but very low levels of potassium can lead to:
Source: http://www.mayoclinic.com
A healthy lifestyle is essential for keeping blood pressure low and maintaining long-term heart health. Here are some healthy lifestyle suggestions:
Source: http://www.mayoclinic.com
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