Hyperaldosteronism​

Hyperaldosteronism is a type of hormone disorder in which the adrenal glands produce excessive aldosterone increasing its level in the blood. Aldosterone balances the sodium and potassium in the blood. Hyperaldosteronism causes the adrenal glands to produce an increased amount of aldosterone, which leads to sodium retention. This leads to high blood pressure. There are two types of hyperaldosteronism:

• Primary hyperaldosteronism occurs due to a problem with the adrenal gland causing them to produce increased amounts of aldosterone. These problems include a benign growth in an adrenal gland which produces aldosterone (Conn’s syndrome) and over activity of both adrenal glands (idiopathic hyperaldosteronism).  
  

• Secondary hyperaldosteronism occurs due to a problem elsewhere in the body that prompts the adrenal glands to produce increased amounts of aldosterone. Example of such a scenario is the presence of a renin-producing tumour which leads to increased aldosterone levels, since renin regulates the body’s aldosterone levels. Other causes can be genetic disorder, dietary habits or another medical disorder.​

When to seek expert advise

Ideally, you should have your blood pressure regularly checked especially if:

• You are in your forties
  

• You have a family history of high blood pressure
  

• You do not exercise regularly or at all
  

• You smoke
  

• You are overweight
  

• You have unhealthy eating habits (too much salt intake)
  

• You consume too much alcohol
  

Visit a doctor at the Internal Medicin​e Service Line​ at the Aga Khan University Hospital, for expert diagnosis to determine the underlying cause of high blood pressure.​​​