Effects of Dietary Sodium Reduction on Blood Pressure in Subjects With Resistant Hypertension

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Abstract
Observational studies indicate a significant relation between dietary sodium and level of blood pressure. However, the role of salt sensitivity in the development of resistant hypertension is unknown. The present study examined the effects of dietary salt restriction on office and 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure in subjects with resistant hypertension. Twelve subjects with resistant hypertension entered into a randomized crossover evaluation of low (50 mmol/24 hours×7 days) and high sodium diets (250 mmol/24 hours×7 days) separated by a 2-week washout period. Brain natriuretic peptide; plasma renin activity; 24-hour urinary aldosterone, sodium, and potassium; 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring; aortic pulse wave velocity; and augmentation index were compared between dietary treatment periods. At baseline, subjects were on an average of 3.4±0.5 antihypertensive medications with a mean office BP of 145.8±10.8/83.9±11.2 mm Hg. Mean urinary sodium excretion was 46.1±26.8 versus 252.2±64.6 mmol/24 ...