Mumbai: Wockhardt Hospitals, Mumbai Central, successfully diagnosed and treated a rare case of hormonal hypertension in a 44-year-old patient who had battled uncontrolled blood pressure for more than a decade.
The patient, a working professional, arrived with persistent headaches, dizziness, and critically high blood pressure readings of 170/110 mmHg despite long-term use of multiple medications.
Hormonal Hypertension Detected After Specialized Evaluation
Commenting on the case, Dr Prashant Makhija, Consultant Neurologist, explained, “In young patients with uncontrolled blood pressure, we always look for secondary causes like hormonal disorders or obstructive sleep apnea. While the patient’s sleep study revealed sleep apnea, his unusually high blood pressure warranted deeper investigation.”
Also Read: 13-Year-Old Girl with Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma Successfully Treated at KIMS Hospital, Thane
Further evaluation by Dr Pranav Ghody, Consultant Endocrinologist, revealed borderline low potassium and biochemical markers suggestive of primary aldosteronism, a condition where the adrenal glands overproduce aldosterone, driving resistant hypertension. An MRI scan showed a small adrenal nodule, but surgical confirmation was not straightforward.
Advanced Adrenal Vein Sampling Avoided Unnecessary Surgery
To establish a definitive diagnosis, Dr Dharav Kheradia, Consultant Neuro & Vascular Interventional Radiologist, performed adrenal vein sampling, a highly specialized test that measures aldosterone secretion from both adrenal glands.
“This is a technically challenging but essential test. In this patient, both glands were overproducing aldosterone, so surgery would not have resolved his hypertension,” he said.
Instead, the patient was prescribed targeted medical therapy alongside treatment for sleep apnea, sparing him unnecessary surgery and ensuring effective long-term management.
Also Read: One in Three Women Over 35 Affected: KIMS Highlights Dangers of Uterine Fibroid in Indian Women
Secondary Hypertension More Common Than Believed
Highlighting the significance, Dr Ghody added, “Secondary hypertension is not as rare as once thought. In patients diagnosed before the age of 40 or requiring multiple medications, a hormonal cause can be identified in nearly 30% of cases. Early evaluation and advanced diagnostics like adrenal vein sampling can significantly improve outcomes.”
This case illustrates Wockhardt Hospitals’ multi-disciplinary approach in diagnosing and managing complex hypertension, ensuring that patients receive precise and effective treatment tailored to their condition.