Conn's Syndrome (Primary Aldosteronism): Symptoms, Causes, Treatment
فرط الألدوستيرون الأولي: متلازمة كون
Primary aldosteronism, also called Conn syndrome, is a treatable cause of hypertension due to excess adrenal aldosterone. Potassium may be normal; a normal result does not exclude it.
What is Conn's Syndrome (Primary Aldosteronism)?
It differs from secondary aldosterone elevation caused by other disorders. Establishing whether secretion is unilateral or bilateral guides surgery versus medical treatment.
Related reading: Blood-pressure monitoring.
Symptoms
High blood pressure may be the only sign. Headache, weakness, cramps or palpitations can occur, particularly with low potassium; symptoms alone are unreliable screening tools.
Causes
An aldosterone-producing adenoma, bilateral adrenal overactivity or rarely an inherited disorder may cause it. Hypertension alone cannot identify the mechanism.
Risk factors
People with hypertension should discuss screening, particularly with resistant pressure, hypokalemia or an adrenal nodule. Results require interpretation in their medication and clinical context.
Diagnosis
Screening measures aldosterone and renin while accounting for potassium and medicines. Confirmation, imaging and sometimes adrenal-vein sampling are needed; a visible nodule alone does not establish the source.
Treatment
Suitable unilateral cases may be treated surgically; other cases use medicines blocking aldosterone action. Kidney function, potassium and blood pressure require monitoring.
Complications
Cardiovascular, stroke and kidney risks may increase even with few symptoms. Targeted treatment helps reduce risk but does not guarantee stopping all blood-pressure medicines.
Prevention
Not all causes can be prevented. Salt reduction supports blood-pressure control without replacing targeted care. Do not independently start potassium or stop antihypertensives.
When to see a doctor
Chest pain, stroke symptoms, severe breathlessness or palpitations with fainting requires emergency care. Marked weakness or difficult blood-pressure control needs prompt assessment.