Primary aldosteronism

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Symptoms

By Mayo Clinic staff

The main signs of primary aldosteronism are:

  • Moderate to severe high blood pressure
  • High blood pressure that takes several medications to control
  • High blood pressure along with a low potassium level (hypokalemia)

When to see a doctor
Have your blood pressure checked regularly, especially if you have risk factors for high blood pressure, for example if:

  • You're age 45 or older
  • You have a family history of high blood pressure
  • You're overweight
  • You have a sedentary lifestyle
  • You use tobacco
  • You drink a lot of alcohol
  • You have dietary imbalances (too much salt, not enough potassium)
Causes Definition
References
  1. Funder JW, et al. Case detection, diagnosis and treatment of patients with primary aldosteronism: An Endocrine Society clinical practice guideline. Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism. 2008;93:3266.
  2. Young WF, et al. Clinical features of primary aldosteronism. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Oct. 25, 2010.
  3. Primary aldosteronism. The Merck Manuals: The Merck Manual for Healthcare Professionals. http://www.merck.com/mmpe/sec12/ch153/ch153f.html. Accessed Oct. 25, 2010.
  4. Sechi LA, et al. Cardiovascular and renal damage in primary aldosteronism: Outcomes after treatment. American Journal of Hypertension. In press. Acessed Oct. 25, 2010.
  5. Giacchetti G, et al. Management of primary aldosteronism: Its complications and outcomes after treatment. Current Vascular Pharmacology. 2009;7:244.
  6. Young WF, et al. Treatment of primary aldosteronism. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Oct. 25, 2010.
  7. Aldosterone and renin. Lab Tests Online. http://www.labtestsonline.org/understanding/analytes/aldosterone/test.html. Accessed Oct. 25, 2010.
  8. High blood pressure. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/dci/Diseases/Hbp/HBP_All.html. Accessed Oct. 25, 2010.
  9. High blood pressure, factors that contribute to. American Heart Association. http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=4650. Accessed Oct. 25, 2010.
  10. Young WF, et al. Approach to the patient with hypertension and hypokalemia. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Oct. 25, 2010.
  11. Rose BD. Clinical manifestations and treatment of hypokalemia. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Oct. 25, 2010.
  12. The seventh report of the Joint National Committee on Prevention, Detection, Evaluation and Treatment of High Blood Pressure. Bethesda, Md.: National Heart, Lung, Blood Institute. http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/guidelines/hypertension/jnc7full.htm. Accessed Oct. 25, 2010.
  13. Nippoldt TB (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Oct. 27, 2010.
DS00563 Jan. 6, 2011

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