Aldosteronism: Too much of a good thing

The hormone aldosterone helps the body manage water and sodium. Too much of it is an overlooked cause of high blood pressure.

Although we often talk about high blood pressure as if it were a disease, it really isn't. It is a symptom of trouble somewhere in the body. High blood pressure usually accompanies excess weight, declining kidney function, and arteriosclerosis, the narrowing and stiffening of blood vessels. One often overlooked cause of high blood pressure is a malfunction of the adrenal glands.