[HYPERTENSION IN A YOUNG WOMAN WITH ANXIETY DISORDER: THE CHICKEN OR THE EGG?]

INTRODUCTION This is a case study of a thirty-five year old woman with a past medical history of anxiety disorder and hypertension which has been elevated up to 180/100 mmHg during the previous year. She had no cardiovascular risk factors or family history of hypertension. Her high blood pressure was initially attributed to emotional stress, however, she was later referred for additional evaluation for secondary causes of hypertension. Her lab test results demonstrated significantly elevated plasma aldosterone levels and suppressed renin levels. A computed tomography scan demonstrated a left adrenal mass consistent with adrenal adenoma, with a normal adrenal gland on the right. Immediately after left adrenalectomy, plasma aldosterone level normalized and blood pressure was controlled with only minimal pharmacotherapy. Approximately 10 days post-surgery, her blood pressure values were measured in a range of 125/90 and anxiety significantly improved, under treatment only with 12.5mg Atenolol.