Pheochromocytomas excrete hormones that regulate blood pressure and heart rate. Thus, the classic symptoms of pheochromocytoma include tachycardia (rapid heart rate), headache and sweating.

Most patients will also suffer from high blood pressure. The hypertension may be episodic, with rapid spikes in blood pressure, or essential hypertension. Many patients with pheochromocytoma experience sudden attacks of symptoms, which may increase in intensity, frequency and duration.

Besides the classic triad of symptoms, other symptoms associated with elevated catecholamines include:

Signs that may be detected by a physician include:

• Elevated blood pressure (severe, but may come and go)
• Rapid pulse
• Elevated temperature