Association between High Blood Pressure and Intakes of Sodium and Potassium among Korean Adults: Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 2007-2012.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

The association between dietary sodium and potassium, the ratio of sodium to potassium, and blood pressure remains unclear.

OBJECTIVE:

We evaluated the associations between blood pressure and dietary sodium and potassium intake in terms of the amount and ratio in Korean adults.

DESIGN:

This cross-sectional study was based on data from the fourth and fifth Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 2007-2012.

PARTICIPANTS/SETTING:

A total of 24,096 adults (aged ≥19 years) without history of antihypertensive medication use were selected. The 24-hour recall method was used for dietary assessment. We categorized the subjects into four groups using median intakes of sodium and potassium, and defined the low sodium/high potassium intake group as the reference group.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES:

High blood pressure (HBP) was defined as mean systolic or diastolic blood pressures of ≥140 or ≥90 mm Hg, respectively.

STATISTICAL ANALYSES PERFORMED:

Multivariate logistic regression was performed to estimate the odds ratio and 95% CI to investigate the association between the four groups of sodium and potassium intakes and HBP.

RESULTS:

Sodium intake was positively associated with diastolic blood pressure, with an increase of 0.21 mm Hg per 1 mg/kcal increase in sodium (P<0.001). In contrast, potassium intake was negatively associated with systolic blood pressure, with a decrease of 1.01 mm Hg per 1 mg/kcal increase in potassium (P<0.001). After adjusting for confounders, the high sodium/low potassium (odds ratio 1.21, 95% CI 1.02 to 1.44) and low sodium/low potassium intake groups (odds ratio 1.19, 95% CI 1.01 to 1.40) were at higher risk of HBP than the reference group. The risk of HBP in the high sodium/high potassium group did not differ from that in the reference group.

CONCLUSIONS:

Low potassium intake was associated with an increased risk of hypertension. These results suggest that increasing potassium intake might be beneficial for hypertension control among populations with low-potassium diets.

• Authors: Hye-Mi Noh, So-Young Park, Haeng-Shin Lee, Hye-Young Oh, Yu Jin Paek, Hong Ji Song, Kyung Hee Park
• Journal: Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (J Acad Nutr Diet) Vol. 115 Issue 12 Pg. 1950-7 (Dec 2015) ISSN: 2212-2672 [Print] United States
• PMID: 26129945 (Publication Type: Journal Article)
• Copyright: Copyright © 2015 Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Chemical References

• Potassium, Dietary
• Sodium, Dietary

Topics

• Adult
• Blood Pressure
• Cross-Sectional Studies
• Diastole
• Diet Records
• Female
• Humans
• Hypertension (etiology, prevention & control)
• Logistic Models
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Nutrition Surveys
• Odds Ratio
• Potassium, Dietary (administration & dosage)
• Republic of Korea
• Risk Factors
• Sodium, Dietary (administration & dosage)
• Systole