Hyperaldosteronism
Hyperaldosteronism is a hormonal condition in which the adrenal glands make too much aldosterone. Aldosterone regulates sodium and potassium balance. When levels remain high, the body holds on to sodium and loses potassium. This pushes blood pressure up, often in a pattern that responds poorly to standard treatment.
Medicine used to treat Hyperaldosteronism
Key points
- Hyperaldosteronism is thought to explain around 5 to 10 percent of hypertension cases, but it often goes unnoticed unless hormone testing is done.
- Blood pressure that does not respond well to two or three standard medicines, along with low potassium that leads to muscle cramp or weakness, is a recognised pattern.
- Spironolactone blocks aldosterone’s effect and can move blood pressure and potassium towards normal over several weeks.
What causes it
Primary hyperaldosteronism usually comes from a benign tumour affecting a single adrenal gland, known as Conn’s syndrome, or from both adrenal glands making too much of the hormone. In the secondary form, another illness is the trigger. Examples are chronic kidney disease and severe heart failure.
Symptoms and testing
Persistent high blood pressure can be the main sign. A low potassium level may bring muscle cramp, weakness or thirst that is unusual. These features do not confirm the condition on their own. Specific hormone testing is needed for diagnosis. Imaging and further tests may show whether one gland or both are overactive.
Treatment
For bilateral adrenal overactivity, an aldosterone-blocking medicine is the main medical approach. The best established aldosterone blocker is spironolactone. It counters the hormone directly and can help blood pressure and potassium levels settle over weeks. Aldactone tablets contain spironolactone and come in 25 mg and 100 mg strengths. Medicines that act on the heart and blood pressure may be added, depending on the cause, for problems such as hypertension, oedema or heart failure. The choice depends on whether one gland or both are overactive. When tests show that only one gland is overactive, surgery to remove that gland can resolve the condition completely. Pharmacy partners in India ship to Malaysia in discreet packaging.
When to see a doctor
High blood pressure with no clear cause, low potassium that persists, or both, call for prompt medical assessment. Without treatment, the condition can harm the heart and kidneys in ways that go beyond the effect on blood pressure alone.
Further reading
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