Resistant Blood Hypertension and its Relationship to Sodium and Potassium Ingestion

Backgroud: The relationship between resistant hypertension (HAR) and sodium remains controversial. This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between resistant hypertension and urinary sodium and potassium excretion. Methods: It is a cross-sectional study. Socio-demographic, clinical and laboratory variables were evaluated. The estimated consumption of Na + and K + in 24 hours was determined by the formula of Kawasaki amp Tanaka (2002) and defined as high for Na +gt 4g, and potassiumgt 4.2g. Results: Fifty-one patients with HAR were evaluated. Sodium intake increased by 56% and was associated with HAR in patients with: age between 40 and 65 years (OR = 14.91, 95% CI 1.37-162.07) Potassium intakegt 4.2g (OR = 8.27 95% CI: 1.12- HYPERLINK quotcall to: 1.12% 20-% 2061.16quot 61.16) and Caucasians (OR = 23.17 95% CI 1.23-147.85). High potassium intake was negatively associated with uncontrolled HAR, and this association was at the threshold of statistical significance for patients with daily sodium intake of less than 4 g (OR = 0.05, 95% CI 0.01 - 1.00). Conclusion: It was observed an association between adequate blood pressure control and HAR and uncontrolled with high potassium excretion and low sodium in patients with lower age and Caucasians. The result of the present study suggests a distinct relationship of sodium and potassium among patients with resistant and uncontrolled hypertension, observed in studies investigating this association with systemic arterial hypertension.