New steroid test may spot hidden cause of high blood pressure without risky drug changes

Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.

Inclusion Criteria: 1. Aged 18-75 years, with no sex restriction. 2. Diagnosed with hypertension, defined as a systolic blood pressure ≥140 mmHg and/or a diastolic blood pressure ≥90 mmHg measured on at least two different days. 3. Currently receiving at least one antihypertensive medication that interferes with aldosterone or renin (ACEI/ARB, β-blockers, dihydropyridine CCBs, or diuretics including MRA) for ≥4 consecutive weeks. 4. Fully informed about the study procedures and risks, and willing to participate by signing a written informed consent form. Exclusion Criteria: 1. Confirmed secondary hypertension of other etiologies (e.g., renovascular hypertension, renal artery stenosis, reninoma, pheochromocytoma, Cushing's syndrome, Liddle syndrome), excluding obstructive sleep apnea. 2. Severe cardiac, hepatic, or renal impairment or serious infections, including but not limited to New York Heart Association (NYHA) Class III-IV heart failure, alanine aminotransferase (ALT) or aspartate aminotransferase (AST) levels exceeding 2.5 times the upper limit of normal, estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) \<30 mL/min/1.73 m², or severe infections (e.g., diabetic foot, sepsis, pneumonia, refractory infections). 3. History of major cardiovascular or cerebrovascular events within the past 3 months. 4. Pregnant or breastfeeding women. 5. Currently using medications (other than the listed antihypertensives) that may affect aldosterone or renin secretion, including but not limited to sex hormones (e.g., oral contraceptives, estrogen replacement therapy), glucocorticoids (e.g., prednisone, dexamethasone), nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs, e.g., aspirin, ibuprofen), or antipsychotics (e.g., chlorpromazine, olanzapine). 6. Individuals lacking or having restricted capacity for independent decision-making or action. 7. History of psychiatric disorders. 8. Poor compliance likely to compromise study completion.