Update on Primary Aldosteronism: Time to Screen All Hypertensives

Abstract

Primary aldosteronism (PA), characterized by autonomous renin-independent aldosterone production, is the most common endocrine cause of hypertension.¹ PA was initially considered a rare cause of secondary hypertension, as experts described 0.451% prevalence in mild to moderate hypertension when hypokalemia was an essential reason for screening.¹ However, recent data suggests that PA may be present even in patients with normokalemia, and 515% of patients in the hypertensive cohort have underlying overt PA.².