[Primary aldosteronism is an underdiagnosed cause of hypertension. Important to find undiagnosed patients--effective treatment available].

Primary aldosteronism is the most common cause of secondary hypertension with an estimated prevalence of 5-13 % among patients with hypertension. The most common causes are aldosterone producing adrenal adenoma and idiopathic adrenal hyperplasia. Patients with primary aldosteronism have a higher prevalence of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality compared to patients with essential hypertension. An effective treatment is available for patients with primary aldosteronism, with mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists in bilateral, and minimal invasive adrenal surgery in unilateral disease, which emphasizes the importance of early detection, adequate diagnostic work-up and treatment. In this paper we give a short review of the etiology, pathophysiology, co-morbidities, screening, diagnostic work-up, treatment, and treatment outcomes of primary aldosteronism.