Low renin hypertension

• Main Authors: Manisha Sahay, Rakesh K Sahay
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications 2012-01-01
• Series: Indian Journal of Endocrinology and Metabolism
• Subjects: Aldosterone antagonists; hypertension; hypokalemia; low renin hypertension; monogenic hypertension; renin aldosterone ration
• Online Access: http://www.ijem.in/article.asp?issn=2230-8210;year=2012;volume=16;issue=5;spage=728;epage=739;aulast=Sahay

Low renin hypertension is an important and often underdiagnosed cause of hypertension. It may be associated with high aldosterone levels as in Conn′s syndrome or low aldosterone levels as in Liddle syndrome, and syndrome of apparent mineralocorticoid excess, glucocorticoid remediable hypertension etc. Some forms of essential hypertension are also associated with low renin levels. Hypokalemia may be an important finding in low renin hypertension. The aldosterone to renin ratio helps in correct diagnosis. The treatment varies with etiology hence an accurate diagnosis is essential. Aldosterone antagonists play an important role in medical management of some varieties of low renin hypertension.