Hypoaldosteronism causes low sodium (hyponatremia), high potassium (hyperkalemia), and metabolic acidosis, a condition in which the body produces excess acid.

These conditions are responsible for the symptoms of hypoaldosteronism, which include muscle weakness, nausea, palpitations, irregular heartbeat, and abnormal blood pressure.

However, the plasma volume also is reduced, resulting in hypotension, circulatory insufficiency, and, eventually, fatal shock.

[citation needed] Patients with a suspected diagnosis of hypoaldosteronism are often screened with simple blood tests.

The plasma aldosterone-to-renin ratio is calculated to determine if levels are sufficiently deranged to consider a diagnosis of hypoaldosteronism.