Endocrine Hypertension
Endocrine hypertension is a form of high blood pressure caused by underlying problems with hormone-producing glands. Unlike primary hypertension, which has no clear single cause, endocrine hypertension is secondary hypertension, meaning there’s an identifiable medical reason behind it.
What is endocrine hypertension?
Endocrine hypertension develops when certain hormones are overproduced or underproduced, disrupting how your body regulates blood pressure. Around 5% to 15% of all high blood pressure cases in the UK are caused by an underlying endocrine disorder. Treating endocrine hypertension often involves addressing the hormone imbalance, rather than just prescribing standard blood pressure medicines.
Endocrine hypertension has been traditionally difficult to diagnose, but at Welbeck, our endocrinology specialists work within our state-of-the-art Endocrinology centre with expert multidisciplinary teams to diagnose and treat patients. With the right diagnosis and treatment, many patients see significant improvements in their blood pressure control and overall health.
More information
Many people with endocrine hypertension experience symptoms related to both high blood pressure and the underlying hormone disorder. Some individuals may have no symptoms, and the condition may only be picked up during routine checks.
Possible symptoms include:
persistently high blood pressure, often difficult to control with standard medication
severe headaches that are resistant to usual painkillers
excessive sweating or palpitations
muscle weakness or cramps
unexplained weight gain or loss
anxiety, irritability, or mood changes
increased thirst and urination
easy bruising or changes in skin appearance (such as purple stretch marks)
Endocrine hypertension is caused by an overproduction or underproduction of hormones from certain glands that stems from an underlying endocrine disorder.
Common causes include:
primary aldosteronism (Conn’s syndrome) – overproduction of aldosterone by the adrenal glands
Cushing’s syndrome – production of excess cortisol, often due to adrenal or pituitary tumours
phaeochromocytoma or paraganglioma – rare tumours of the adrenal gland or related tissue that release excess adrenaline
thyroid disorders – both overactive (hyperthyroidism) and underactive (hypothyroidism) thyroid disorders can affect blood pressure
acromegaly – excess growth hormone from a pituitary tumour
congenital adrenal hyperplasia – an inherited condition affecting cortisol and aldosterone production
At Welbeck, diagnosis begins with a detailed consultation, where your consultant will review your symptoms, lifestyle and medical history.
Tests may include:
blood and urine tests to measure hormone levels
ultrasound, CT, or MRI, to detect adrenal or pituitary tumours
specialist stimulation or suppression tests to check how glands respond to hormones or medicines
genetic testing, if an inherited condition is suspected
Accurate diagnosis of the underlying endocrine disorder is very important, as your treatment will vary depending on the underlying cause.
There’s currently no guaranteed way to prevent endocrine hypertension, as many causes are genetic or related to tumours. However, you can lower your risk by:
having regular blood pressure checks
managing any known hormone conditions
maintaining a healthy weight, balanced diet, and active lifestyle
If untreated, endocrine hypertension can lead to the same complications as other forms of high blood pressure, including:
stroke
heart attack
heart failure
kidney damage or failure
eye damage (hypertensive retinopathy)
In some cases, untreated tumours such as phaeochromocytomas may also cause sudden, life-threatening blood pressure surges.
Your recommended treatment will depend on the underlying cause of your high blood pressure. At Welbeck, your consultant will work with you to design a personalised treatment plan that helps to treat the underlying condition and improve your overall cardiac health.
Options may include:
medication to alter hormone activity
hormone replacement therapy, if glands are underactive
surgery to remove any adrenal or pituitary tumours
radiotherapy or chemotherapy for any tumours
lifestyle advice – including diet changes, reducing salt intake, exercise, and stress management
At Welbeck, our endocrinologists are experts in their field and are dedicated to providing world-class care to every patient.
With access to colleagues across other specialties, our consultants are also able to refer within the Welbeck ecosystem if required to ensure you receive the treatment you need as quickly as possible, all under one roof.
All appointments, testing, treatment, and follow-up appointments take place within our state-of-the-art facilities, enabling us to deliver accurate diagnostics and advanced treatments.
Your health is important to us, so we strive to offer same-day appointments whenever possible.
Our consultants are recognised by the major health insurance companies. If you have private health insurance, your treatment at Welbeck can begin once you have obtained authorisation. We also provide care to self-paying patients. Learn more about the different payment options at Welbeck.
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Frequently asked questions
In cases where the underlying condition is curable, for example, a tumour that can be removed, the associated high blood pressure can often be cured. Some endocrine disorders may require lifelong management with medications, but often, once they’re appropriately managed, the associated high blood pressure is reduced.
You should see a doctor about high blood pressure if:
you have blood pressure consistently above 140/90 mmHg
if medicines aren’t controlling your blood pressure
if you have symptoms such as severe headaches, sweating, palpitations, or unexplained weight changes
Some of the underlying conditions that cause endocrine hypertension, such as congenital adrenal hyperplasia and certain phaeochromocytomas, can be inherited. If you have a family history of these conditions, your consultant may recommend screening tests.
High blood pressure is very common in adults, and initially, you may be prescribed medication to treat it by your GP. If you find that this doesn’t help, it may be that there’s an underlying endocrine cause. It's important to make sure you get a correct diagnosis for your high blood pressure to ensure you get the best treatment. At Welbeck, our multidisciplinary teams are experts at diagnosing the root cause of endocrine hypertension.