Comparative studies of reduced sodium and high potassium diet in hypertension.
A decrease in sodium intake or an increase in potassium intake reduces blood pressure (BP) in people with essential hypertension. Additional potassium prevents, in sodium-sensitive people and rats, the rise in BP caused by extra sodium chloride. In people with a diastolic BP between 90 and 100 mm Hg, dietary reduction of sodium to 80 mmol/day and dietary increase of potassium to 90 mmol/day caused a fall in BP of 5.1/4.2 and 3.6/3.1 mm Hg, respectively, greater than was observed in the control group. There was a negative interaction between the two diets when used together with a BP change of 4.0/3.6 mm Hg. The fall in BP with sodium restriction was not reversed by the addition of sodium chloride and a similar fall in BP was not achieved with potassium chloride. It is possible that the response is due to some other factor. A strong correlation existed between the change in urine Na:K and the fall in BP. This study indicates that a reduced sodium or an increased potassium diet will reduce BP and should be considered for the initial management of essential hypertension.
Department of Physiology, University of Melbourne, Vic., Australia.
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Morgan
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Nowson
D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D004039:Diet, Sodium-Restricted; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000178:diet therapy*; D011189:Potassium Chloride / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D012982:Sodium, Dietary / Q000008:administration & dosage*
D012982:Sodium, Dietary; D011189:Potassium Chloride