straining the body during hard physical activity or childbirth.TriggersĮpisodes can occur at any time, but certain life events can also trigger them. It is most likely to appear at the age of 20–50 years, but it can appear at any age.Ī person with genetic features linked to pheochromocytoma may also have a higher risk of developing a range of other conditions, including:įor this reason, a person with a diagnosis of pheochromocytoma should consider undergoing genetic testing to assess for a risk of other complications. In around 25–35% of cases, a person inherits the condition, according to the National Organization for Rare Diseases. Many appear randomly, but genetic factors appear to play a role in some cases. Share on Pinterest People with a family history of pheochromocytoma could consider genetic testing.ĭoctors do not know exactly what causes pheochromocytoma. What causes hypertension? Find out more here. However, anyone who notices these symptoms should see a doctor for diagnosis. Having these symptoms does not mean a person definitely has pheochromocytoma, as they can occur with other conditions. Symptoms of an adrenergic crisis include extremely high blood pressure and a rapid heart rate. This can increase the risk of an adrenergic crisis, which occurs when bursts of adrenal hormones enter the bloodstream.Īn adrenergic crisis can lead to heart attack or stroke, both of which can be life threatening. Pheochromocytoma can disturb the normal functioning of the adrenal glands.

These people may only discover that they have pheochromocytoma when they undergo an imaging test for another condition. However, some people experience no symptoms. They tend to worsen over time and become more frequent as the tumor grows. Other symptoms that can occur during an episode or independently include: The most common symptoms of pheochromocytoma are:

Other symptoms usually occur in episodes, with a distinct combination. These may occur from several times per day to twice per month. Some people experience consistent high blood pressure, while others may experience episodes of high blood pressure.

Around 60% of people with this condition experience either constant or sporadic high blood pressure. Symptoms of pheochromocytoma vary from person to person.

Producing too much adrenaline symptoms