Electrolyte Blood Press.  2005 Mar;3(1):36-43.

Dietary Salt and Potassium Intake and Hypertension

• Lee SH
• Chang YS

Abstract

Evidence for a relationship between high sodium intake and high blood pressure comes from animal experimental studies, controlled clinical trials, and epidemiologic studies. Aanalyses from the International Co-Operative Study of Salt and Blood Pressure found estimates of systolic and diastolic blood pressure lower by 3 to 6 mmHg and 0 to 3 mmHg, respectively, for each lower daily sodium intake; the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension-Sodium feeding trial showed that lower versus higher sodium reduced systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure by 6.7 and 3.5 mmHg, respectively. Lowered sodium intake may help lower blood pressure and reduce or obviate the need for antihypertensive drugs. Most of studies suggest that potassium intake has inverse relationship on systolic and diastolic blood pressure; dietary potassium deficiency induces a salt sensitivity in the high incidence and prevalence of hypertension in African-Americans. Increased potassium intake reduces systolic and diastolic blood pressure; this effect is more enhanced in hypertensives compared to normotensives, and in those consuming a high intake of sodium. Increased potassium intake in combination with sodium restriction may provide the optimal means for prevention and treatment of hypertension. Increased potassium intake may reduce the risk of stroke independent of its effects on blood pressure

MeSH Terms

Animal Experimentation
Antihypertensive Agents
Blood Pressure
Diet
Hypertension*
Incidence
Potassium*
Potassium, Dietary
Prevalence
Sodium
Stroke
Antihypertensive Agents
Potassium
Potassium, Dietary
Sodium