The effect of sodium intake on blood pressure related to the age of the patients

Abstract

1. Sodium intake was varied in 182 normotensive volunteers. 2. systolic blood pressure rose by 3.3 (s.e.m. = 0.9) mmHg supine, 2.8 (s.e.m. = 0.7) mmHg erect. 3. Diastolic blood pressure rose by 2.7 (s.e.m. = 0.8) mmHg supine, 2.6 (s.e.m. = 0.8) mmHg erect. 4. In people over 50 y the rise was 12.4/8.1 mmHg (supine) and 9.1/7.1 mmHg (erect). 5. Blood pressure rose as sodium intake increased. Most of the rise was in the older patients but about 25% of younger patients were sensitive to sodium.