Endocrine
Medicines for Conn's syndrome
A hormonal cause of high blood pressure, where the adrenal glands make too much aldosterone — an important, treatable cause that is often missed.
Education and reference only. This explains which medicines are used and why, in plain language — it deliberately contains no doses and is not a substitute for advice from your doctor or pharmacist. Always discuss your own treatment with a qualified clinician, and check the BNF and the product labelling for prescribing detail.
Quick answer
What is Conn's syndrome?
Conn's syndrome (primary hyperaldosteronism) is a condition in which the adrenal glands produce too much of the hormone aldosterone, which controls the balance of salt and water and affects blood pressure. Too much aldosterone causes the body to retain sodium and lose potassium, leading to high blood pressure that can be difficult to control, and sometimes a low potassium level (which can cause tiredness, muscle weakness, cramps and excessive urination) — though many people have a normal potassium level.
- How it is treated: Diagnosis involves specific blood tests (measuring aldosterone and a related hormone, renin), often with further confirmatory tests, and imaging and sometimes specialised tests to determine whether one or both adrenal glands are responsible — which guides treatment.
- Self-care: Taking prescribed treatment consistently, attending monitoring of blood pressure and potassium, and general blood-pressure-healthy measures (reducing salt, healthy weight, activity, limiting alcohol) all support management.
- When to seek help: See a GP about high blood pressure that is hard to control, high blood pressure at a younger age, or high blood pressure with a low potassium level, so this treatable hormonal cause can be considered and tested for.
What it is
Conn's syndrome (primary hyperaldosteronism) is a condition in which the adrenal glands produce too much of the hormone aldosterone, which controls the balance of salt and water and affects blood pressure. Too much aldosterone causes the body to retain sodium and lose potassium, leading to high blood pressure that can be difficult to control, and sometimes a low potassium level (which can cause tiredness, muscle weakness, cramps and excessive urination) — though many people have a normal potassium level. It is caused either by a small benign growth on one adrenal gland or by both glands being overactive. It is an important cause of high blood pressure because, although it is often overlooked, it is treatable and sometimes curable, and identifying it can greatly improve blood pressure control and reduce long-term cardiovascular risk. It is more common than once thought among people with high blood pressure, particularly resistant cases.
How it is treated
Diagnosis involves specific blood tests (measuring aldosterone and a related hormone, renin), often with further confirmatory tests, and imaging and sometimes specialised tests to determine whether one or both adrenal glands are responsible — which guides treatment. If a single adrenal growth is the cause, surgery to remove that adrenal gland can cure or greatly improve the high blood pressure and correct the potassium. If both glands are overactive, treatment is with specific medicines (aldosterone-blocking tablets) that counteract the excess hormone, control blood pressure and correct potassium, taken long-term. Either way, blood pressure and potassium usually improve significantly. Because it is a treatable cause of high blood pressure that also carries extra cardiovascular risk if untreated, testing for it is recommended in certain people with high blood pressure (such as those with resistant hypertension or low potassium). Care is guided by hormone specialists.
For this condition, these medicines
Medicine classes used for Conn's syndrome
Each links to a full, dose-free guide — what it is, how it works, who can and cannot use it, side effects, interactions and FAQs.
Beyond medication
Lifestyle and self-care
Taking prescribed treatment consistently, attending monitoring of blood pressure and potassium, and general blood-pressure-healthy measures (reducing salt, healthy weight, activity, limiting alcohol) all support management. Treating the condition improves blood pressure control and lowers cardiovascular risk.
When to get help
When to see a doctor
See a GP about high blood pressure that is hard to control, high blood pressure at a younger age, or high blood pressure with a low potassium level, so this treatable hormonal cause can be considered and tested for.
Not sure how urgent it is? It is always OK to call NHS 111 for advice, day or night.
Answers
Conn's syndrome: frequently asked questions
Why does Conn's syndrome matter?
Because it is a treatable, sometimes curable, cause of high blood pressure that is often missed. Identifying it can greatly improve blood pressure control and reduce long-term cardiovascular risk, and it may be more common than once thought.
How is Conn's syndrome treated?
If a single adrenal growth is responsible, surgery to remove that gland can cure or greatly improve it. If both glands are overactive, specific aldosterone-blocking medicines control blood pressure and potassium. Either way, blood pressure usually improves.
Sources
Where this is drawn from
- NICE NG136 — Hypertension
- Society for Endocrinology guidance
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