home / medterms medical dictionary a-z list / cdc definition Medical Definition of CDC CDC: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the US agency charged with tracking and investigating public health trends. A part of the US Public Health Services (PHS) under the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), the CDC is based in Atlanta, Georgia. It publishes key health information, including weekly data on all deaths and diseases reported in the US and travelers' health advisories.
An aldosterone test measures the level of aldosterone (a hormone made by the adrenal glands), in the blood. Aldosterone helps regulate sodium and potassium levels in the body. This helps control blood pressure and the balance of fluids and electrolytes in the blood. The kidney hormone renin normally stimulates the adrenal glands to release aldosterone.
Because aldosterone increases sodium blood levels and increases blood pressure, we see that the secretion of aldosterone is triggered by decreased blood sodium levels or low blood pressure.Aldosterone also acts on the kidneys to increase the excretion of potassium.his can boost blood volume and blood pressure. Aldosterone is the main mineralocorticoid secreted by the adrenal cortex. When low blood pressure is detected by the kidneys, we see the start of the renin-angiotensin system, which is a hormonal cascade that leads to the production of angiotensin II.