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What Are the Effects of Elevated Renin Levels?

C.B. Fox
C.B. Fox

In human anatomy, elevated renin levels can lead to hypertension. Over time, the increase in blood pressure caused by high levels of renin can lead to serious and sometimes life-threatening conditions. Under normal circumstances, renin is released to counteract a decrease in salts or in the volume of blood. Renin is used to increase the blood volume which creates an increase in pressure against the walls of the veins and arteries.

Elevated renin levels are a possible cause of high blood pressure. This enzyme is a part of a system that helps compensate for fluctuations in the level of sodium and potassium and well as differences in the volume of blood in the body. A decrease in the levels of any of these things can trigger the kidneys to release renin, which sets off a chain reaction that eventually results in increased levels of aldosterone being released by the adrenal gland.

Elevated renin levels can cause an increase in blood pressure.
Elevated renin levels can cause an increase in blood pressure.

With elevated aldosterone and renin in the bloodstream, a person's kidneys begin to reabsorb sodium and potassium salts that would otherwise be lost through the urine. These salts bind to water, increasing the volume of fluid present in the blood vessels. An increase in fluid leads to a rise in blood pressure because there is more blood in the arteries and veins pressing out against the vascular walls. While the renin cycle is important in order to properly balance the level of salts in the blood, elevated renin levels are common in today’s society in part because of the abundance of salt.

Hyperaldosteronism is characterized by high blood pressure, also referred to as hypertension.
Hyperaldosteronism is characterized by high blood pressure, also referred to as hypertension.

While elevated renin can be beneficial in a number of circumstances, consistently high renin levels can lead to hypertension, a condition that causes serious health complications. People with hypertension are at greater risk for cardio-vascular events such as heart attacks, strokes, and the rupture of aneurisms in the major blood vessels around the heart. Many of these conditions are life threatening, so controlling renin levels is important in order to protect a person's health.

Cirrhosis of the liver can cause the body to produce more renin.
Cirrhosis of the liver can cause the body to produce more renin.

Though the only condition directly caused by elevated renin is hypertension, there are a number of other health conditions that may be indicated by elevated levels of this enzyme. Dehydration and blood loss due to either internal or external injury can lead to high levels of renin because the hormone is released when the blood volume decreases. Certain medical conditions, such as cirrhosis, Addison's disease, and nephritic syndrome can also cause the body to produce more renin. Tumors in the kidneys also have been known to produce greatly increased levels of the renin. A patient showing elevated renin should be tested for these conditions in order to treat the cause of the excessive renin production and not just the symptom of high blood pressure.

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    • Elevated renin levels can cause an increase in blood pressure.
      By: niyazz
      Elevated renin levels can cause an increase in blood pressure.
    • Hyperaldosteronism is characterized by high blood pressure, also referred to as hypertension.
      By: Monkey Business
      Hyperaldosteronism is characterized by high blood pressure, also referred to as hypertension.
    • Cirrhosis of the liver can cause the body to produce more renin.
      By: peterjunaidy
      Cirrhosis of the liver can cause the body to produce more renin.
    • Some research shows that the chronic use of anti-hypertensive drugs can actually raise the body's production of renin.
      By: dambuster
      Some research shows that the chronic use of anti-hypertensive drugs can actually raise the body's production of renin.
    • High blood pressure is caused by large amounts of blood pumping heavily against the walls of the arteries, which may begin to narrow and weaken.
      By: Alexandr Mitiuc
      High blood pressure is caused by large amounts of blood pumping heavily against the walls of the arteries, which may begin to narrow and weaken.
    • People with hypertension are at greater risk for heart attacks.
      By: milan2099
      People with hypertension are at greater risk for heart attacks.
    • When the kidneys release renin, increased levels of aldosterone will be released by the adrenal glands.
      By: stockshoppe
      When the kidneys release renin, increased levels of aldosterone will be released by the adrenal glands.