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Aldosterone levels and inflammatory stimulation in essential hypertensive patients

V Tzamou1, G Vyssoulis, E Karpanou

  • 1Hypertensive Unit, 1st Cardiology Clinic, Athens University, Hippokration Hospital, Athens, Greece.

Journal of Human Hypertension
|March 15, 2013
PubMed

Insights

High aldosterone (ALDO) levels, even within the normal range, are linked to subclinical inflammation in essential hypertension. This inflammation, influenced by ALDO and plasma renin activity (PRA), increases cardiovascular disease risk.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Endocrinology
  • Hypertension Research

Background:

  • Aldosterone (ALDO) and mineralocorticoid receptor activation are implicated in cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk.
  • Essential hypertension is a major risk factor for CVD, with inflammation playing a key role.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between aldosterone levels and inflammatory markers in a large cohort of essential hypertensive patients.
  • To explore the relationship between aldosterone, plasma renin activity (PRA), and subclinical inflammation in the context of CVD risk.

Main Methods:

  • A cohort of 3770 essential hypertensive patients was analyzed.
  • Measurements included 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM), urinary ALDO, plasma renin activity (PRA), hsCRP, fibrinogen, homocysteine (Hcy), serum amyloid A (SAA), and white blood cells (WBC).
  • Patients were stratified into groups based on PRA and ALDO levels.

Main Results:

  • Higher aldosterone metabolism correlated significantly with increased levels of hsCRP, SAA, Hcy, fibrinogen, and WBC.
  • Elevated ALDO levels, even within the normal physiological range, were associated with subclinical inflammation.
  • Both ALDO and PRA were found to influence the inflammatory processes linked to CVD risk.

Conclusions:

  • Subclinical inflammation is present in essential hypertension and is associated with aldosterone levels.
  • Aldosterone plays a significant role in promoting inflammation, thereby contributing to cardiovascular risk in hypertensive individuals.
  • Targeting aldosterone pathways may be a strategy to mitigate inflammation and reduce CVD risk in essential hypertension.

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