Sodium and potassium intake and blood pressure.

Abstract

Summary and conclusions Sodium and potassium intakes were increased in normotensive volunteers to assess the effects on their blood pressures. An approximately threefold increase in sodium intake for eight days had no effect on the blood pressures of seven volunteers, while a two-stage increase in potassium intake, by about 40% for eight days and a further 55% for 14 days, had no effect on the blood pressures of 21 volunteers. Renal electrolyte excretions and the blood pressures of all 28 subjects showed no statistically significant correlations between either sodium or potassium excretion and blood pressure. A weak negative correlation was found between the sodium: potassium ratio and systolic pressure.The small reductions in sodium intake and increases in potassium intake that, might be achieved through propaganda and changes in food processing are unlikely to lower mean blood pressure in Western societies.

Sodium-to-Potassium Ratio and Blood Pressure, Hypertension, and Related Factors

“…Twenty-two cross-sectional studies , 1 observational cohort study (37), and 18 RCTs [conducted in 13 hypertensive populations (38)(39)(40)(41)(42)(43)(44)(45)(46)(47)(48)(49)(50), 1 prehypertensive/hypertensive population (8), and 4 normotensive populations (50)(51)(52)(53)] were included in this review. Of note, classification of prehypertension status in the DASH diet RCT was based on blood pressure >120/80 mm Hg.…”

“…Dietary intake measurements and nutrient databases were not reported. One RCT examined blood pressure outcomes only (51), whereas the remaining RCTs reported on renin-angiotensin variables in addition to blood pressure outcomes (50,52,53). None of the RCTs in normotensive populations examined arterial stiffness, the augmentation index, or endothelial dysfunction.…”

“…These RCTs enrolled normotensive subjects from Austria (52), Scotland (53), and the United Kingdom (50,51). Ages ranged from 20 to 47 y, and sample sizes ranged from 8 to 28 subjects.…”

“…RCTs had a retention rate of 100%. Only 1 RCT was performed as a single-blind study (study staff) (50); the remaining 3 RCTs were not blind due to the nature of the intervention (51)(52)(53). Intervention and control periods across RCTs ranged from 5 to 84 d (50,53).…”

Nonpharmacologic Approaches to the Treatment of Hypertension

“…In a study on outpatients, a diet supplemented with 100 mequiv of potassium per day resulted in lower blood pressure, com pared to a diet consisting of 100 mequiv of sodium per day (43). These authors noted a similar trend in normotensives with a family history of hypertension, but not in normotensives without such a family history, but a study by Burstyn et al in normotensives did not show these changes (44).…”