From the Guidelines
Aldosterone is a crucial hormone produced by the adrenal glands that regulates the body's salt and water balance, and its imbalance can lead to serious health issues, including high blood pressure, cardiovascular damage, and kidney damage, as noted in the 2017 ACC/AHA/AAPA/ABC/ACPM/AGS/APhA/ASH/ASPC/NMA/PCNA guideline for the prevention, detection, evaluation, and management of high blood pressure in adults 1. Aldosterone helps control the amount of sodium and potassium in the body, which in turn affects blood pressure and fluid balance. When aldosterone levels are too high, the body retains too much sodium and water, leading to high blood pressure, as seen in primary aldosteronism, a condition that occurs in 5% to 10% of patients with hypertension and 20% of patients with resistant hypertension 1. Some key points to consider about aldosterone include:
- It is part of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) that regulates blood pressure and fluid balance.
- Imbalances in aldosterone can lead to conditions like primary aldosteronism (too much aldosterone) or Addison's disease (too little aldosterone).
- The aldosterone:renin activity ratio is currently the most accurate and reliable means of screening for primary aldosteronism, as stated in the 2017 ACC/AHA/AAPA/ABC/ACPM/AGS/APhA/ASH/ASPC/NMA/PCNA guideline 1.
- Patients with primary aldosteronism are at increased risk of target organ damage, including heart failure, stroke, myocardial infarction, atrial fibrillation, and kidney damage, highlighting the importance of early detection and treatment, as noted in the guideline 1.
From the Research
What is Aldosterone
- Aldosterone is a steroid hormone that helps regulate sodium homeostasis, blood volume, and blood pressure 2
- It is synthesized in and secreted from the outer layer of the adrenal cortex, the zona glomerulosa 2
Role of Aldosterone in the Body
- Aldosterone helps control blood pressure by regulating the amount of sodium in the body 2
- It also helps regulate fluid balance in the body, which is important for maintaining healthy blood pressure 2
- Insufficient aldosterone secretion can lead to low blood pressure and circulatory shock, while excessive aldosterone levels can cause high blood pressure and damage to organs such as the kidneys and heart 2
How Aldosterone Works
- Aldosterone binds to steroid receptors in the body, which promotes the absorption of sodium and the secretion of potassium 3
- This process helps regulate blood pressure and fluid balance in the body 3
- Aldosterone also has non-genomic actions, which are rapid effects that are independent of transcription and translation 3
Importance of Aldosterone
- Aldosterone plays a critical role in maintaining healthy blood pressure and fluid balance in the body 2
- It is also important for regulating electrolyte levels in the body, which is important for maintaining healthy nerve and muscle function 2
- Abnormal levels of aldosterone have been linked to various health conditions, including high blood pressure, heart failure, and kidney disease 2, 4, 5