Primary aldosteronism blood test may help high blood pressure outcomes

Primary aldosteronism, or Conn syndrome, is a form of hypertension that affects at least 600,000 of the six million people in Australia diagnosed with the condition, but only 60,000 might know it.

Associate Professor Jun Yang is from the Hudson Institute of Medical Research and Monash Health.

She explains in a video (above) that when our blood pressure drops, our kidneys produce renin, which then tells the adrenal gland on top of the kidney to produce a hormone called aldosterone. That hormone tells the kidney to keep salt in the body, thereby increasing our blood pressure back up. In PA, the adrenal gland is overactive and keeps making aldosterone, thus the blood pressure keeps increasing.

In a study sponsored by the Heart Foundation, she asked 20 GPs in Victoria to screen every newly-diagnosed hypertension patient with the blood test. The results found one in every six patients had PA as the cause of their high blood pressure.

Jun said the condition could potentially be cured by removing the adrenal gland, or treated with a medication that blocks aldosterone action.

"It only take a simple blood test to measure raised aldosterone level, but no-one thinks to order the blood test," she said.

Jun said while the condition was identified in 1955 and has been studied, there is very little awareness of it in primary care. It's something that is close to her heart, especially since both her parents were diagnosed with PA.

The effects of untreated hypertension can be life-changing, including increased risk of stroke, heart disease and reduced kidney function.

This week is Heart Week and Jun is encouraging people with high blood pressure to ask their doctor to test them for PA.

The Heart Foundation is hosting a special Heart Week webinar, Risky business: Understanding and managing residual CVD risk, on Wednesday 3 May, 7-8 pm AEST.

An expert panel of international and Australian speakers will discuss the latest evidence on residual cardiovascular risk, including the role of novel biomarkers such as Lp(a) in clinical practice and how polygenic risk can enhance current risk screening.

Live presentations will be followed by an interactive panel discussion that explores the practical application in primary care. More information about it can be found here.