Symptom 7: High Blood Pressure
High blood pressure, or hypertension, can be termed the ‘silent killer’ because of its stealthy nature. While it’s prevalent in the general population due to a myriad of reasons, including lifestyle factors and genetics, its sudden onset or exacerbation in someone with no prior history can be bewildering. Enter Cushing’s syndrome. This condition, with its excess cortisol, plays a sinister role in elevating blood pressure levels beyond the norm, thrusting individuals into the hypertensive zone without much warning.
While cortisol is vital for various functions, an overabundance of it can wreak havoc on the cardiovascular system. This hormone, in excessive amounts, causes the body to retain more sodium and lose potassium, upsetting the delicate balance and leading to fluid retention. The end result? An increase in blood volume and consequent rise in blood pressure. But that’s not all; cortisol also acts on the walls of arterioles, causing them to constrict, amplifying the pressure exerted by the flowing blood.
It’s easy to dismiss high blood pressure as just a set of numbers on a monitor. However, in the context of Cushing’s syndrome, it’s a symptom of a deeper ailment. Chronic hypertension isn’t benign. It stresses the heart, damages blood vessels, and increases the risk of heart attacks, strokes, and kidney problems. The elevated pressure literally pushes the body towards various health precipices.
Ironically, hypertension might be the symptom that finally pushes individuals to seek medical attention. The subtlety of its presentation – perhaps just a persistent headache, blurred vision, or even nosebleeds – can be the body’s desperate attempt to signal the existence of an underlying hormonal chaos.
For someone diagnosed with hypertension, especially when it’s linked to Cushing’s syndrome, treating the symptom isn’t enough. It’s akin to watering a leaf while the roots wither away. The elevated blood pressure is a manifestation of the internal disarray caused by excessive cortisol. Addressing the root – the hormonal imbalance – becomes paramount to achieving genuine, lasting relief. (7)
