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Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone System (RAAS)

Meaning

The Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone System (RAAS) is a complex, multi-organ hormonal cascade that plays a pivotal role in regulating blood pressure, fluid and electrolyte balance, and systemic vascular resistance. It involves the sequential activation of key components, including the enzymes renin and angiotensin-converting enzyme, and the steroid hormone aldosterone. The RAAS is a primary homeostatic mechanism, and its dysregulation is central to the pathogenesis of hypertension, heart failure, and chronic kidney disease, all of which can interact with other major endocrine axes.