Aldosterone

The main hormone in the body responsible for keeping salt (sodium) and water inside and letting go of potassium. Aldosterone is produced by the adrenal glands when the kidneys notice low blood pressure. A condition of excessive aldosterone production, known as the Conn Syndrome, causes a combination of hypertension, and hypokalemia (low potassium). Elevated aldosterone in the blood is also seen in heart failure when the body tries to compensate for the heart’s weakness by expanding its blood volume. Drugs like spironolactone (Aldactone) and eplerenone (Inspra) block aldosterone and can treat hypertension and heart failure.