To evaluate the association between plasma aldosterone concentration (PAC) and incident cardiovascular disease (CVD) in hypertensive patients, excluding those with primary aldosteronism.
Key Findings:
8653 hypertensive patients included; median follow-up of 5.2 years.
737 cases of incident CVD occurred during the follow-up.
Higher quartiles of PAC correlated with increased CVD risk.
Patients in the highest PAC quartile had a 51% increased risk of CVD (HR 1.51, 95% CI 1.23–1.86) compared to the lowest quartile.
Interpretation:
Higher PAC is associated with an increased risk of CVD in hypertensive patients, suggesting PAC could be a target for early prevention.
Limitations:
Retrospective design may introduce selection bias.
Exclusion of patients with primary aldosteronism may limit generalizability.
Conclusion:
The study supports the notion that PAC is a significant predictor of CVD risk in hypertensive patients, warranting consideration for routine measurement in cardiovascular risk assessment.
