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Aldosterone in heart disease

Anastasia S Mihailidou1

  • 1Department of Cardiology & Kolling Institute of Medical Research, Royal North Shore Hospital & University of Sydney, Pacific Highway, St. Leonards, Sydney, NSW, Australia, 2065. anastasia.mihailidou@sydney.edu.au

Current Hypertension Reports
|February 8, 2012
PubMed

Insights

Aldosterone causes heart damage independently of blood pressure. Mineralocorticoid receptor (MR) antagonists show promise in treating heart failure and myocardial infarction by reducing mortality.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular Medicine
  • Endocrinology
  • Molecular Cardiology

Background:

  • Sustained high aldosterone levels cause cardiovascular damage, independent of blood pressure regulation.
  • Elevated aldosterone and cortisol predict mortality in heart failure patients.
  • Mineralocorticoid receptor (MR) antagonists reduce morbidity and mortality in heart failure and myocardial infarction.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the role of aldosterone in heart disease.
  • To update on the mechanisms of MR-mediated cardiac damage.
  • To highlight studies on aldosterone's action in cardiovascular conditions.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of studies on aldosterone and heart disease.
  • Analysis of clinical trials involving MR antagonists.
  • Examination of the role of redox state in MR-mediated cardiac damage.

Main Results:

  • Aldosterone induces cardiovascular damage through mechanisms beyond sodium and blood pressure regulation.
  • MR antagonists are effective in reducing heart failure and myocardial infarction outcomes, even at physiological aldosterone levels.
  • Redox state modifications are implicated in MR-mediated cardiac damage.

Conclusions:

  • Aldosterone plays a significant role in cardiovascular damage and heart failure.
  • Targeting the mineralocorticoid receptor offers a therapeutic strategy for cardiovascular diseases.
  • Further research is needed to fully elucidate the mechanisms of MR-mediated cardiac effects.

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