Sodium and blood pressure.
The human race is genetically programmed to consume less than 1 g of salt per day. In most human populations, the diet contains 6 to 12 g of salt per day and, in contrast to populations that consume less than 3 g of salt per day, their blood pressure rises with age. Independent of the rise in blood pressure, a high-salt diet also increases left ventricular mass, incidence of strokes, stiffness of conduit arteries, and activity of resistance arteries. In populations with high salt intake, a modest reduction in salt intake lowers blood pressure and diminishes cardiovascular disease and mortality.
De Wardener
Hugh E
HE
Department of Clinical Chemistry, Imperial College School of Medicine, Charing Cross Hospital, London, United Kingdom. h.dewardener@ic.ac.uk
MacGregor
G A
GA
D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy; D012016:Reference Values; D012982:Sodium, Dietary / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*
D012982:Sodium, Dietary