title: Potassium in hypertension.
abstract: Epidemiologic studies in the United States suggest that a low potassium intake may be important in the genesis of hypertension. The higher blood pressure in blacks than in whites in the United States is associated with lower excretion of potassium. This is probably due to less potassium being consumed. The high cost of a high-potassium diet may be the reason for the low potassium consumption. Potassium may reduce blood pressure by increasing sodium excretion, decreasing renin secretion, decreasing sympathetic nerve activity, or directly dilating the arteries.
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000349:Africa; D000818:Animals; D044383:Black People; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D005845:Georgia; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D007564:Japan; D008297:Male; D008922:Mississippi; D011188:Potassium / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000378:metabolism / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011191:Potassium Deficiency; D051381:Rats; D014481:United States; D044465:White People; D001741:Black or African American
chemical_list: D011188:Potassium