title: Hypertension treated by salt restriction.
abstract: 31 patients with a diastolic blood-pressure between 95 and 109 mm Hg have been treated for two years with a regimen involving a moderate restriction of salt in the diet. The results are compared with those in a control group and in a drug-treated group. Salt restriction has reduced the diastolic blood-pressure by 7.3+/-1.6 mm Hg, a result similar to that in patients treated with antihypertensive drugs. In the untreated group the diastolic blood-pressure rose by 1.8+/-1.1 mm Hg. Most patients did not achieve the desired amount of salt restriction and a stricter adherence to the diet might have caused further falls in blood-pressure. Excessive salt intake is probably a major cause of the epidemic of hypertension in "civilised" countries and a reduction in salt intake may help to control the epidemic. In persons with a diastolic blood-pressure between 90 and 105 mm Hg salt restriction should be tried before drugs.
mesh_terms: D001794:Blood Pressure; D002740:Chlorothiazide / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004039:Diet, Sodium-Restricted; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000178:diet therapy* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D011187:Posture; D011433:Propranolol / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012964:Sodium / Q000652:urine; D012965:Sodium Chloride / Q000008:administration & dosage
chemical_list: D012965:Sodium Chloride; D002740:Chlorothiazide; D012964:Sodium; D011433:Propranolol