Endocrine disorders and secondary high blood pressure
Your endocrine system is a network of glands located throughout your
body that produce and release various hormones into your bloodstream. These
hormones act as chemical "messengers" that make your body perform various
functions. For example, your body releases certain hormones (such as
adrenaline/epinephrine) when it is under stress and needs more blood and
oxygen. Hormones play a significant role in controlling your blood pressure
because they send messages controlling your heart's output of blood, the
stiffness of your arteries, and changes in your blood volume. Such secondary
hypertension is very rare. The following chart
outlines the most common hormonal causes of secondary hypertension.
Endocrine disorders and high blood pressure
|
Type of hormonal disorder
|
What happens
|
How it causes hypertension
|
| Hyperaldosteronism |
Excess production of aldosterone (a hormone that
regulates salt and water balance in your kidneys) may be caused by overactivity
of the adrenal glands or a tumor of the adrenal glands. |
Your kidneys retain too much salt and water while
eliminating potassium. |
| Cushing’s disease |
Overproduction of cortisol (the major hormone
produced by the adrenal glands) caused by pituitary gland growth |
Your kidneys retain too much salt and water while
eliminating potassium. |
| Pheochromocytoma |
A rare type of tumor that produces chemicals that
resemble some of your own hormones (epinephrine and norepinephrine, which
constrict your blood vessels) |
Constricts your blood vessels and increases cardiac
output during contraction |
| Excess growth hormone |
Your pituitary gland directs the formation and
distribution of too much growth hormone. |
Growth hormone promotes increases in blood volume
through the retention of salt and water in your kidneys. |
| Hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism |
Hyperthyroidism develops when there is too much thyroid
hormone circulating in the body. Hypothyroidism develops when there is too
little thyroid hormone in the body.
|
Hyperthyroidism may increase the force of heart contractions.
Hypothyroidism may increase the resistance of blood vessels.
|
Last Updated:
April 10, 2009
