ObjectiveTo evaluate the salt intake and urinary Na + /K + ratio in a randomized sample from an ethnically mixed urban population. MethodsA randomized residential sample of 2,268 individuals aged 25-64 in Vitória, ES, was selected, of whom 1,663 (73.3%) reported to the University Hospital for standardized tests. Salt, Na + and K + intake was estimated from 12-hour urine excretion (7 p.m. to 7 a.m.) and from the monthly salt consumption at home reported in the interview. Clinic arterial pressure was measured twice under standard conditions by two trained investigators, using mercury sphygmomanometry. The Student t and Tukey tests were utilized for statistical analysis. Saúde Pública 2003; 37(6) Hypertension and salt intake www.fsp.usp.br/rsp Molina MCB et al Urinary Na + excretion was higher in men and individuals of lower socioeconomic level (P<0.000). No difference between ethnic groups was observed. K + excretion was unrelated to socioeconomic level and ethnicity, but was significantly higher among men (25±18 vs. 22±18 mEq/12h; P=0.002). Positive linear correlation was observed between urinary Na + e xcretion and systolic (r=0.15) and diastolic (r=0.19) arterial pressure. Hypertensive individuals showed higher urinary Na + excretion and Na + /K + ratio than normotensive individuals. Reported salt intake was around 50% of the intake estimated from 12-hour urine collection (around 45% of 24-hour urinary excretion). Results Rev ConclusionsSalt intake is strongly influenced by socioeconomic level and may partially explain the higher prevalence of hypertension in lower socioeconomic classes.