Primary Aldosteronism

Primary aldosteronism (PA) is an endocrine disorder that results from aldosterone overproduction by the adrenal glands, independent of physiological stimuli (hyperkalemia or renin). Symptomatic PA can cause hypertension and hypokalemia, but PA exists across a spectrum of severity from subclinical disease to treatment-resistant hypertension and from normokalemia to severe hypokalemia. PA remains underdiagnosed despite the fact that targeted therapies can reduce morbidity and mortality.1,2 This Clinical Insights article provides clinicians with a practical approach to diagnosing and managing PA.