Health
What if Your High Blood Pressure Is Due to This Hidden Hormone Issue?
Health Points
- Screen if you have resistant hypertension, early-onset high blood pressure, sleep apnea, low potassium, or family history.
- Morning blood test checks aldosterone-to-renin ratio; further imaging or sampling may confirm adrenal issues like adenomas.
- Treatment with mineralocorticoid blockers like spironolactone often normalizes pressure and potassium while protecting heart and vessels.
New guidelines from the Endocrine Society recommend a simple blood test for people with high blood pressure to check aldosterone levels and spot primary aldosteronism.
This underrecognized condition involves excess aldosterone from the adrenal glands, causing kidneys to retain too much sodium and water.
Experts estimate it affects 5% to 10% of those with hypertension and up to 25% with resistant cases.
“Up to 25% of people with resistant hypertension are thought to have primary aldosteronism,” says Dr. Anna Krawisz, a cardiologist at Harvard-affiliated Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center.
Resistant hypertension means blood pressure stays high despite three or more medications, including a diuretic.
Discuss screening with your doctor to potentially lower cardiovascular risks and simplify your regimen.
“A low potassium level, called hypokalemia, can cause headaches, dizziness, and muscle cramps,” says Dr. Krawisz.
“If that’s the case and you’re not getting targeted treatment with an MRA or other therapy, you may be missing out on a potentially lower risk of cardiovascular problems,” she adds.
