This test is usually ordered by the doctor/healthcare professional if the patient is having high blood pressure and/or not responding to the medications given for high blood pressure, showing symptoms of low potassium levels.

No. There are no self-detection kits available for home diagnosis. Home collection of blood/urine samples could be available from the laboratory but may add to extra cost.

Your doctor or healthcare professional may ask you to stop taking certain medicines before your test, which may include -

• Birth control pills
• Blood pressure-lowering medicines including Diuretics (water pills)

Also, you may be asked to follow a low-salt diet for a few days before the test

During the test, the blood sample will be drawn by the needle from a vein in your arm. Also, in a few cases, a 24-hour urine collection can also be asked to collect.

In some complex cases, blood may be collected by inserting a catheter which is usually done in the hospital by specially trained professionals.

A blood sample is drawn by needle from a vein in the arm to measure blood aldosterone and/or renin.

Usually, there are no after-effects of taking the test. You may have a slight pain/redness/bruising on the arm where the needle was inserted, which will get resolved in some time.

There may be several factors, that affect the readings of the test including –

• Time of day, when the test is done
• Body posture when the sample is taken (Sitting or lying down)
• Salt intake
• Stress
• Pregnancy
• Blood-pressuring lowering medicines
• Activity level during the day