Mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists, such as spironolactone, are recommended as a fourth-line treatment for resistant obesity hypertension due to the role of aldosterone in its pathogenesis.
Does mineralocorticoid receptor antagonism improve blood pressure control in obese patients with resistant hypertension?
Mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists are highlighted as a promising targeted therapy for resistant hypertension in obese patients due to underlying aldosterone excess.
Obesity is a major risk factor for the development of hypertension. Because the prevalence of obesity is increasing worldwide, the prevalence of obesity hypertension is also increasing. Importantly, hypertension in obesity is commonly complicated by dyslipidemia and type 2 diabetes mellitus and hence imposes a high cardiovascular disease risk. Furthermore, obesity is strongly associated with resistant hypertension. Activation of the sympathetic nervous system and the renin-angiotensin system, leading to renal sodium and water retention, links obesity with hypertension. There is also evidence for the release of factors by visceral adipose tissue promoting excessive aldosterone production, and a more central role of aldosterone in obesity hypertension is emerging. Randomized studies evaluating the effect of different classes of antihypertensive agents in obesity hypertension are scarce, short-lasting, and small. Considering the emerging role of aldosterone in the pathogenesis of obesity hypertension, mineralocorticoid receptor antagonism may play a more central role in the pharmacologic treatment of obesity hypertension in the near future.
Jansen et al. (Mon,) conducted a review in Resistant hypertension in obesity. Mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists (e.g., spironolactone) was evaluated. Mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists, such as spironolactone, are recommended as a fourth-line treatment for resistant obesity hypertension due to the role of aldosterone in its pathogenesis.