Hypertension can be divided into primary hypertension and secondary hypertension according to its cause, among which pheochromocytoma-induced hypertension is one of the more specific types of secondary hypertension. However, many people lack a basic understanding of pheochromocytoma and are unaware of the serious consequences it can have on blood pressure, so today we are going to spread some knowledge about it. What is pheochromocytoma? Pheochromocytoma originates from chromophobic tissue in the adrenal medulla, sympathetic ganglion or other sites. This tumor releases large amounts of catecholamines continuously or intermittently, causing persistent or paroxysmal hypertension and multiple organ dysfunction and metabolic disorders. About 10% are malignant tumors. The disease is most common between the ages of 20 and 50, with no significant difference in incidence between men and women. Normally, chromophores exist in the adrenal medulla, sympathetic ganglia and other parts of the body with the function of secreting catecholamine hormones such as adrenaline and norepinephrine, which are very important for our life activities. It maintains our blood pressure and keeps our blood pressure at a steady level. Epinephrine and norepinephrine, both secreted by chromophores, have the effect of raising blood pressure. When a person experiences certain stimuli (e.g. excitement, fear, stress, etc.) this chemical is secreted, which allows the person to breathe faster (provides a lot of oxygen), the heartbeat and blood flow is accelerated, the pupils are dilated, providing more energy for physical activity and making the reaction faster. Adrenaline causes a rise in cardiac contractility, causing vasodilation of the heart, liver, and sinews and vasoconstriction of the skin and mucous membranes, prompting increased blood return, which can rapidly raise blood pressure to ensure blood perfusion in patients in shock. Now the chromophobic tissues keep proliferating, the epinephrine and norepinephrine secreted by the chromophobe cells floods into the bloodstream, causing the heart contraction to strengthen, and the heartbeat and blood flow to accelerate the blood pressure to rise rapidly, thus forming the secondary hypertension caused by pheochromocytoma. What is the effect of pheochromocytoma on blood pressure? The intermittent entry of large amounts of catecholamines into the circulation causes vasoconstriction, increased peripheral resistance, accelerated heart rate, and increased cardiac output, resulting in a paroxysmal rise in blood pressure, with systolic blood pressure reaching over 200 mmHg and diastolic blood pressure also rising significantly. The attack may be accompanied by palpitations, shortness of breath, chest depression, headache, pallor, profuse sweating, blurred vision, etc. In severe cases, hypertensive crisis such as cerebral hemorrhage or pulmonary edema may occur. The patient is extremely fatigued and weak after the relief of seizure. Seizures can be triggered by sudden changes in body position, emotional excitement, strenuous exercise, coughing and urinary and fecal activities. The frequency and duration of seizures vary greatly among individuals and do not correlate positively with the size of the tumor. Hypertension caused by pheochromocytoma can be divided into three categories: (1) Paroxysmal hypertensive episodes, accounting for 30% to 50%. The attacks are accompanied by severe headache, palpitations, shortness of breath, precordial pain, nausea, vomiting, increased body temperature, increased blood glucose, and increased blood and urine catecholamines. The attack is often terminated with profuse sweating and extreme weakness. (2) Persistent hypertension without paroxysmal episodes, manifesting symptoms such as headache, excessive sweating, trembling and debilitation. (3) On the basis of persistent hypertension, blood pressure fluctuates greatly. So in our daily life if our loved ones have high blood pressure fluctuations, accompanied by elevated body temperature, blood sugar rise high blood pressure with severe headache, palpitations, shortness of breath, pain in the precordial area, nausea and vomiting, remember to go to the hospital to get checked and treated by a professional doctor, and if pheochromocytoma is found, also actively undergo surgery and drug treatment to reduce its damage to the body.