High Aldosterone (Hyperaldosteronism): Causes and Treatment

Overview of High Aldosterone

High aldosterone (hyperaldosteronism) is a hormonal disorder that leads to high blood pressure (hypertension). It occurs when our adrenal glands produce too much of a hormone called aldosterone.

Our adrenal glands produce a number of essential hormones, including aldosterone. Aldosterone balances the sodium and potassium in our blood. When aldosterone production increases too much, sodium levels rise while potassium levels fall. This imbalance can cause your body to retain too much water, increasing your blood volume and blood pressure.

Treatment options include surgery, medications and lifestyle changes.

What Are the Symptoms of High Aldosterone?

• High blood pressure that is difficult to control,
• Muscle cramps,
• Weakness,
• Fatigue,
• Headache,
• Excessive thirst,
• Frequent need to urinate.

When Should I See a Doctor?

You should see a doctor if you have moderate or severe high blood pressure, especially if you need several medications to control your blood pressure, or in the following situations:

• High blood pressure that appears suddenly before the age of 30 or after the age of 50,
• High blood pressure together with a history of high aldosterone in family members,
• High blood pressure together with a history of stroke before the age of 40 in a family member,
• High blood pressure together with enlargement of the adrenal glands,
• High blood pressure together with a low blood potassium level,
• High blood pressure together with sleep apnea.

Causes of High Aldosterone

The most common causes of high aldosterone are a benign tumor of the adrenal gland (adenoma) or overactivity of both adrenal glands.

Complications of High Aldosterone

• Heart attack
• Heart failure
• Heart rhythm disorders
• Stroke
• Kidney failure
• Weakness
• Muscle cramps
• Excessive thirst or urination

Diagnosis of High Aldosterone

The diagnosis is made by measuring aldosterone levels in the blood and by imaging the adrenal gland.

Treatment and Follow-up of High Aldosterone

For patients with a benign tumor of the adrenal gland, the effective treatment is surgery, while for high aldosterone associated with overactivity of both adrenal glands, the effective treatment is medication. In both cases, lifestyle change is an indispensable part of treatment.

• Lifestyle change includes:
• An appropriate diet,
• Exercise,
• Quitting smoking,
• Limiting alcohol consumption.