The influence of oral potassium citrate/bicarbonate on blood pressure in essential hypertension during unrestricted salt intake.
In several trials, a blood pressure lowering effect of potassium chloride could be demonstrated. However, it is not known if other potassium salts are also effective. In a randomized cross-over trial, 12 patients with essential hypertension were treated for 8 weeks with placebo and 120 mmol potassium per day. Potassium was given together with 50% citrate and 50% bicarbonate as anions. Urinary potassium excretion rose from 61.8 +/- 8.1 to 166.7 +/- 21.2 mmol/24 hours during potassium supplementation. However, blood pressure and heart rate remained unchanged when compared to placebo. Non-chloride potassium salts may not be effective in lowering blood pressure in essential hypertension. Since potassium rich foods like fruits and vegetables contain potassium mostly as non-chloride salts, it appears to be premature to recommend a high dietary potassium intake as a mean to treat elevated blood pressure.
Medizinische Universitäts-Poliklinik Bonn, FRG.
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D000328:Adult; D000450:Aldosterone / Q000097:blood; D001639:Bicarbonates / Q000008:administration & dosage; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects*; D002951:Citrates / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011188:Potassium / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000032:analysis / Q000494:pharmacology*; D012083:Renin / Q000097:blood; D012964:Sodium / Q000032:analysis
D001639:Bicarbonates; D002951:Citrates; D000450:Aldosterone; D012964:Sodium; D012083:Renin; D011188:Potassium