Primary Aldosteronism: Where Are We Now? Where to From Here?

Abstract

Primary aldosteronism, the most common secondary form of hypertension, is thought to be present in ≈5% to 10% of hypertensive adults. However, recent studies indicate that its prevalence may be at least 3-fold higher based on the identification of renin-independent (autonomous) aldosterone production that is not suppressible with dietary sodium loading in a large fraction of adults with primary hypertension. Currently, the screening rate for primary aldosteronism in adults with primary hypertension is <1%. This review summarizes current thinking about primary aldosteronism from the standpoint of 3 key questions: Where are we now? Where to from here? So how do we get there?

Keywords: aldosterone; hypertension; prevalence; renin; sodium dietary.