Body Mass Index Predicts Plasma Aldosterone Concentrations in Overweight-Obese Primary Hypertensive Patients

Context: Bodymass index (BMI) shows a direct correlationwith plasma aldosterone concentration (PAC) and urinary aldosterone excretion in normotensive individuals; whether the same applies to hypertensive patients is unknown. Objective: Our objective was to determine if BMI predicts PAC and the PAC/plasma renin activity ratio [aldosterone renin ratio (ARR)] in hypertensive patients, and if this affects the identification of primary aldosteronism (PA). Design: This was a prospective evaluation of consecutive hypertensive patients referred nation-wide to specialized hypertension centers. MainOutcomeMeasures: Sitting PAC, plasma renin activity, and theARR, baseline and after 50mg captopril orally with concomitant assessment of parameters, including BMI and daily sodium in