PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — When it comes to high blood pressure, most people have what is called essential hypertension or primary hypertension. In these cases, high blood pressure is often due to an unhealthy diet, family history or obesity.
Traditional treatments usually work well, but sometimes the blood pressure issue is caused by an underlying health issue known as secondary hypertension.
One of the most common health issues that causes secondary hypertension is a medical condition called primary aldosteronism. People with this condition make too much of a hormone called aldosterone which regulates salt and water in the body.
There are tests to detect primary aldosteronism and treatment is available once diagnosed.
Get more medical reports from Dr. Brian McDonough.
KYW Newsradio's Medical Reports are sponsored by Independence Blue Cross.
