What is it?

The adrenal glands produce too much Aldosterone, a hormone that controls sodium and potassium. This causes high blood pressure and low potassium.

Why does it matter?

It is one of the most common causes of resistant hypertension (high blood pressure that doesn't respond to 3+ medications). If undiagnosed, it significantly increases the risk of stroke and heart attack.

Symptoms:

• High Blood Pressure (often severe and hard to control).
• Low Potassium (Hypokalemia): Muscle weakness, cramps, frequent urination.
• Many people have NO symptoms; it's found incidentally during workup for high blood pressure.

Diagnosis:

• Aldosterone-to-Renin Ratio (ARR): Screening test. High aldosterone + low renin = positive screen.
• Confirmatory Test: Saline Infusion or Fludrocortisone Suppression Test.
• CT or MRI: To look for an adrenal tumor (adenoma) or bilateral adrenal hyperplasia.

Treatment:

• Unilateral Adenoma (Conn's Syndrome): Surgery (Adrenalectomy) can cure it.
• Bilateral Hyperplasia: Medications (Spironolactone or Eplerenone) to block aldosterone.