Aldosterone/Renin Ratio
The aldosterone/renin ratio (ARR) compares your aldosterone level to your renin level in a single number. It is used mainly as a screening test.
This ratio is the standard first-step screen for primary aldosteronism, a common and treatable cause of high blood pressure in which the adrenal glands make too much aldosterone independent of the usual signals. In that condition, aldosterone tends to be high while renin is suppressed, producing a high ratio. Because the ratio is sensitive to posture, salt, and many blood pressure medications, careful preparation is important.
A high ratio (typically high aldosterone with low renin) may suggest primary aldosteronism and usually prompts confirmatory testing rather than an immediate diagnosis. Several common medications can raise or lower the ratio, so results must be interpreted with your full medication list and testing conditions in mind.
A ratio that is not elevated makes primary aldosteronism less likely, though it does not rule out every cause of high blood pressure.
There is no personal 'target' for this ratio; it is a screening tool, and the cutoff varies by lab and testing conditions. A positive screen typically leads to confirmatory tests. Interpret it with your clinician, who will account for your medications and how the sample was collected.
Sources
Educational context only, not medical advice or a diagnosis. Reference ranges vary by lab, age and sex; always discuss your results with a clinician.