Late diagnosis of primary hyperaldosteronism in outpatient practice

Timely diagnosis of resistant arterial hypertension (AH) and, as a consequence, detection of primary hyperaldosteronism (PHA) are remaining to be a serious problem in outpatient practice. This happens due to insufficient awareness of these nosologies among primary care physicians, often incompletely collected anamnesis and insufficient knowledge of modern diagnostic and treatment algorithms. Clinical case described in the article clearly illustrates the consequences of PHA late diagnosis in a young female patient. The absence of a correct diagnosis during 10 years resulted in persistent uncontrolled arterial hypertension and development of target organ damage. This observation highlights the importance of increased vigilance for PHA in patients with treatment-resistant arterial hypertension.