How Does Aldosterone Work in CHF Patients?

The hormone aldosterone contributes to many conditions that can worsen a CHF patient’s condition, such as:

-retaining sodium and shedding magnesium and potassium;

-activating the sympathetic nervous system;

-inhibiting the parasympathetic nervous system;

-promoting fibrosis in the heart muscle and vessels as well as other vascular damage;

-causing dysfunctioning of baroreceptors.

Source: Pitt B, et al. The effect of spironolactone on morbidity and mortality in patients with severe heart failure. N Engl J Med 1999. (Scheduled for publication Sept. 2.)