Emergency Medicine EOR Practice Exam 2025 – Your All-In-One Guide to Mastering End of Rotation Success!

Primary aldosteronism, also known as hyperaldosteronism, is characterized by the excessive production of the hormone aldosterone from the adrenal glands. This overproduction leads to increased reabsorption of sodium and water, resulting in elevated blood pressure, which can lead to a condition known as secondary hypertension.

Secondary hypertension refers to high blood pressure that is secondary to a specific cause, in this case, the excess of aldosterone affecting blood volume and vascular tone. In patients with primary aldosteronism, despite having high blood pressure, it is crucial to identify the underlying cause — here being the hormonal imbalance — to differentiate it from primary hypertension, which has no identifiable cause. Treatment often involves surgical removal of the adrenal gland or medical management to address the excess aldosterone and help control blood pressure.

Conditions like diastolic dysfunction and acute heart failure may be consequences of long-standing hypertension or other cardiovascular issues but are not primary results of primary aldosteronism. Similarly, heart valve disease is a separate entity and is not directly associated with the effects of excessive aldosterone production. Thus, linking primary aldosteronism to secondary hypertension accurately captures the physiological changes that drive the condition.