What is Primary Aldosteronism and how does it increase Blood Pressure?

POTASSİUM and sodium in blood are balanced by adrenal glands and those adrenal glands also produce aldosterone. When the adrenal glands produce far too much aldosterone than the normal limit, more sodium is retained in the blood with subsequent losses of potassium. Such a situation is known as Primary Aldosteronism – and the increased level of sodium ultimately converts into water, thus increasing the overall volume of water and causes Arterial Hypertension.

Often known as Primary Hyperaldosteronism, the disorder enhances excretion of potassium in the kidneys ultimately leading to hypokalemia(Blood pressure along with low levels of potassium in the blood). When the potassium has been excreted in significant levels, the sodium-potassium pump within the nephron turns more active eventually leading to an increased excretion of the hydrogen ions causing further exacerbation of the hypernatremia.

Symptoms of Primary Aldosteronism are best portrayed when controlling blood pressure requires several medications or if there is a case of hypokalemia detected in the body.

Once considered as a rare disorder, the condition is now held responsible for an increasing number of severe cases of high blood pressure. Treatments available to treat primary Aldosteronism varies from medications to surgery depending on the severity of cases. However, simple lifestyle modifications can also help treat this disorder.