Are low-sodium diets appropriate for treated hypertensive men?

Abstract

Because a low-sodium diet is often recommended as part of the treatment to control hypertension, a recent study examined the relationship between sodium intake, 24-hour urinary sodium excretion, and subsequent cardiovascular disease in treated hypertensive men and women. Contrary to expectations, the men with the lowest urinary sodium excretion had the highest incidence of myocardial infarction. Concerns about the group studied and some of the measurements used raise doubt about the results of this study, especially in light of the weight of data from population studies supporting a link between low blood pressure and low sodium intake. However, should future studies corroborate this one, clinicians will need to re-evaluate the simple notion that severe dietary sodium restriction is always beneficial for people with hypertension.

• Authors: J C Fleet
• Journal: Nutrition reviews (Nutr Rev) Vol. 53 Issue 10 Pg. 296-8 (Oct 1995) ISSN: 0029-6643 [Print] United States
• PMID: 8584288 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Review)

Chemical References

• Sodium

Topics

• Blood Pressure (physiology)
• Diet, Sodium-Restricted (standards)
• Female
• Humans
• Hypertension (diet therapy, physiopathology, urine)
• Male
• Myocardial Infarction (urine)
• Sex Factors
• Sodium (urine)