Aldosterone and the risk of hypertension

Vanessa Xanthakis, Ramachandran S. Vasan

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

48 Scopus citations

Abstract

Aldosterone, the key hormone in the mineralocorticoid pathway, plays a fundamental role in salt and water homeostasis, blood pressure regulation, and cardiovascular remodeling. Both genomic and nongenomic mechanisms influence aldosterone-induced renal sodium reabsorption. Furthermore, the mineralocorticoid receptors in nonepithelial tissues, including the heart and vascular smooth muscle cells, have recently been discovered. Thus, aldosterone likely has pleiotropic effects that contribute to the modulation of blood pressure. Among patients with hypertension in general, and among those with more severe or resistant hypertension in particular, a higher-than-expected prevalence of primary hyperaldosteronism is noted. Among individuals with resistant hypertension, aldosterone antagonists have also been shown to be effective in lowering blood pressure. Most significantly, recent community-based studies among non-hypertensive individuals in the general population have demonstrated that both higher serum aldosterone concentrations and a higher aldosterone to renin ratio portend a greater risk of developing hypertension. The combination of the aforementioned observations underscores the importance of the mineralocorticoid pathway in the pathogenesis of hypertension.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)102-107
Number of pages6
JournalCurrent Hypertension Reports
Volume15
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - Apr 2013
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • ARR
  • Aldosterone
  • Aldosterone to renin ratio
  • Blood pressure
  • Cardiovascular disease
  • Hypertension
  • Mineralocorticoid receptor
  • Natriuretic peptides
  • Primary hyperaldosteronism
  • Risk
  • Salt sensitivity

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Internal Medicine

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