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Complications include cardiovascular disease such as stroke, myocardial infarction, kidney failure and abnormal heart rhythms. [3] [4] Primary hyperaldosteronism has a number of causes. About 33% of cases are due to an adrenal adenoma that produces aldosterone, and 66% of cases are due to an enlargement of both adrenal glands. [1]
Secondary hyperaldosteronism (also hyperreninism, or hyperreninemic hyperaldosteronism) is due to overactivity of the renin–angiotensin–aldosterone system (RAAS).. The causes of secondary hyperaldosteronism are accessory renal veins, fibromuscular dysplasia, reninoma, renal tubular acidosis, nutcracker syndrome, ectopic tumors, massive ascites, left ventricular failure, and cor pulmonale.
This is what causes the hypokalemia, hypertension, and hypernatremia associated with the syndrome. Patients often present with severe hypertension and end-organ changes associated with it like left ventricular hypertrophy, retinal, renal and neurological vascular changes along with growth retardation and failure to thrive.
Patients with GRA may be asymptomatic, but the following symptoms can be present: [citation needed] Fatigue; Headache; High blood pressure; Hypokalemia; Intermittent or temporary paralysis; Muscle spasms; Muscle weakness; Numbness; Polyuria; Polydipsia; Tingling; Hypernatraemia; Metabolic alkalosis
In patients with hyperaldosteronism, chronic exposure to excess aldosterone does not cause edema as might be expected. Aldosterone initially results in an increase in Na + reabsorption in these patients through stimulation of ENaC channels in principal cells of the renal collecting tubules.
Secondary hyperaldosteronism, on the other hand, is due to overactivity of the renin–angiotensin system. Conn's syndrome is primary hyperaldosteronism caused by an aldosterone-producing adenoma. Depending on cause and other factors, hyperaldosteronism can be treated by surgery and/or medically, such as by aldosterone antagonists.
In the adrenal cortex, angiotensin II acts to cause the release of aldosterone. Aldosterone acts on the tubules (e.g., the distal convoluted tubules and the cortical collecting ducts) in the kidneys, causing them to reabsorb more sodium and water from the urine. This increases blood volume and, therefore, increases blood pressure.
Hyperaldosteronism is caused by the adrenal gland's overproduction of the hormone aldosterone. The excess production of the adrenal gland, specifically the zona glomerulosa, is the cause of primary hyperaldosteronism. Excessive renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system activation results in secondary hyperaldosteronism. [29]