Are low-sodium diets appropriate for treated hypertensive men?
Because a low-sodium diet is often recommended as part of the treatment to control hypertension, a recent study examined the relationship between sodium intake, 24-hour urinary sodium excretion, and subsequent cardiovascular disease in treated hypertensive men and women. Contrary to expectations, the men with the lowest urinary sodium excretion had the highest incidence of myocardial infarction. Concerns about the group studied and some of the measurements used raise doubt about the results of this study, especially in light of the weight of data from population studies supporting a link between low blood pressure and low sodium intake. However, should future studies corroborate this one, clinicians will need to re-evaluate the simple notion that severe dietary sodium restriction is always beneficial for people with hypertension.
Fleet
J C
JC
Jean Mayer Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging, Tufts University, Boston, MA 02111, USA.
D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000502:physiology; D004039:Diet, Sodium-Restricted / Q000592:standards*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000178:diet therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000652:urine; D008297:Male; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000652:urine; D012737:Sex Factors; D012964:Sodium / Q000652:urine
D012964:Sodium