Obesity, sleep apnea, aldosterone, and hypertension.

The pathogenesis of hypertension associated with obesity is unclear. This review provides evidence supporting excess visceral fat as an early aspect, and obstructive sleep apnea and elevated levels of aldosterone as factors closer to hypertension in the mechanistic chain. Features of visceral obesity and obstructive sleep apnea that may stimulate aldosterone secretion are described here. Possible therapeutic interventions addressing the hypertension associated with obesity are briefly mentioned.