Hypertension - Secondary causes

Question 1

It is thought that between 5-10% of patients diagnosed with hypertension have primary hyperaldosteronism

Answer 1

• including Conn’s syndrome. This makes it the single most common cause of secondary hypertension.

Question 2

Renal disease accounts for a large percentage of the other cases of secondary hypertension, what conditions may increase blood pressure?

Answer 2

• glomerulonephritis
• pyelonephritis
• adult polycystic kidney disease
• renal artery stenosis

Question 3

What Endocrine disorders (other than primary hyperaldosteronism) may also result in increased blood pressure?

Answer 3

• phaeochromocytoma
• Cushing’s syndrome
• Liddle’s syndrome
• congenital adrenal hyperplasia (11-beta hydroxylase deficiency)
• acromegaly

Question 4

Other causes of secondary hypertension include?

Answer 4

• NSAIDs
• pregnancy
• coarctation of the aorta
• the combined oral contraceptive pill
• steroids
• MAOI