Aldosterone levels and stroke incidence in essential hypertensive patients

Abstract The aim of the present study was to assess the incidence of transient ischemic attack (TIA) and stroke in hypertensive patients according to their aldosterone levels. The study comprised 10,000 consecutive patients with uncomplicated essential hypertension who underwent full clinical and laboratory evaluation including 24 h urine collection. Patients with hALDO had significantly higher incidence of TIA (3.4% vs 1.9%) and stroke (3.5% vs 1.8%) compared to patients with lALDO levels, which remained significant after adjustment for age, gender, body mass index (BMI), diabetes mellitus, serum cholesterol and current smoking. Hypertensive patients with hALDO levels within the normal range present an increased incidence of stroke and TIA.