When considering an endocrine cause for a patient's hypertension, which gland is the usual suspect?

When considering an endocrine cause for a patient's hypertension, which gland is the usual suspect?

• A. Adrenal gland
• B. Pituitary gland
• C. Thyroid gland
• D. Pancreas

Answer: (A)

Endocrine hypertension is most often traced to the adrenal glands because they control both volume status and vascular tone through their hormones. Aldosterone, produced by the adrenal cortex, promotes sodium reabsorption and water retention in the distal nephron, increasing circulating blood volume and raising blood pressure. Hyperaldosteronism is a common, reversible cause of resistant hypertension, which is why the adrenal gland is a frequent focus in evaluation. The adrenal medulla’s catecholamines can cause hypertension in pheochromocytoma, but that is less common. Other glands can influence blood pressure, but the adrenal gland remains the usual suspect when considering an endocrine cause.

Endocrine hypertension is most often traced to the adrenal glands because they control both volume status and vascular tone through their hormones. Aldosterone, produced by the adrenal cortex, promotes sodium reabsorption and water retention in the distal nephron, increasing circulating blood volume and raising blood pressure. Hyperaldosteronism is a common, reversible cause of resistant hypertension, which is why the adrenal gland is a frequent focus in evaluation. The adrenal medulla’s catecholamines can cause hypertension in pheochromocytoma, but that is less common. Other glands can influence blood pressure, but the adrenal gland remains the usual suspect when considering an endocrine cause.