Hypertension: Secondary Causes

Key points

• Primary hyperaldosteronism (including Conn's syndrome) is found in 5–10% of patients diagnosed with hypertension — the single most common cause of secondary hypertension.
• Renal disease: glomerulonephritis · pyelonephritis · adult polycystic kidney disease · renal artery stenosis.
• Endocrine: phaeochromocytoma · Cushing's syndrome · Liddle's syndrome · congenital adrenal hyperplasia (11β-hydroxylase deficiency) · acromegaly.
• Drugs: steroids · monoamine oxidase inhibitors · combined oral contraceptive pill · NSAIDs · leflunomide.
• Other: pregnancy · coarctation of the aorta; patent ductus arteriosus does NOT cause secondary hypertension.