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Potassium chloride lowers blood pressure and causes natriuresis in older patients with hypertension.

Publication ,  Journal Article
Smith, SR; Klotman, PE; Svetkey, LP
Published in: J Am Soc Nephrol
February 1992

Epidemiologic surveys, experimental studies in animals, and clinical trials in young and middle-aged patients with hypertension indicate that dietary potassium lowers blood pressure. The mechanism of the antihypertensive effect is not well defined. Variations in serum potassium within the physiologic range may directly affect vascular smooth muscle tone. Potassium may also influence the regulation of blood pressure through effects on sodium handling, aldosterone secretion, the renin/angiotensin system, renal kallikrein, eicosanoids, and atrial natriuretic peptide. This study was undertaken to confirm the blood pressure-lowering effect of potassium in older patients and to determine the mechanism of the antihypertensive effect. Twenty-two patients greater than or equal to 60 yr of age were admitted to a Clinical Research Unit for 8 days after a 2-wk period free of antihypertensive medication. Patients were placed on an isocaloric diet containing 200 mmol/day of Na+, 70 mmol/day of K+, and 500 mg/day of Ca2+ and were treated in a randomized, double-blinded manner with either potassium chloride (120 mmol/day) or placebo. After 4 days, patients were crossed over to the alternate treatment. Systolic blood pressure decreased 8.6 mm Hg (95% confidence interval -14.6, -2.6), and diastolic blood pressure decreased 4.0 mm Hg (-6.9, -1.0) during potassium chloride supplementation. There was no significant change in blood pressure during treatment with placebo. Serum K+ was 3.9 +/- 0.1 mmol/L after 3 days of placebo and 4.3 +/- 0.1 after 4 days of potassium chloride (P less than 0.002). Urinary sodium excretion averaged 192 +/- 11 mmol/day after placebo and 221 +/- 8 after potassium treatment (P less than 0.02).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

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Published In

J Am Soc Nephrol

DOI

ISSN

1046-6673

Publication Date

February 1992

Volume

2

Issue

8

Start / End Page

1302 / 1309

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • Urology & Nephrology
  • Potassium Chloride
  • Natriuresis
  • Middle Aged
  • Hypertension
  • Humans
  • Double-Blind Method
  • Blood Pressure
  • Aged
  • 3202 Clinical sciences
 

Citation

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Smith, S. R., Klotman, P. E., & Svetkey, L. P. (1992). Potassium chloride lowers blood pressure and causes natriuresis in older patients with hypertension. J Am Soc Nephrol, 2(8), 1302–1309. https://doi.org/10.1681/ASN.V281302
Smith, S. R., P. E. Klotman, and L. P. Svetkey. “Potassium chloride lowers blood pressure and causes natriuresis in older patients with hypertension.J Am Soc Nephrol 2, no. 8 (February 1992): 1302–9. https://doi.org/10.1681/ASN.V281302.
Smith SR, Klotman PE, Svetkey LP. Potassium chloride lowers blood pressure and causes natriuresis in older patients with hypertension. J Am Soc Nephrol. 1992 Feb;2(8):1302–9.
Smith, S. R., et al. “Potassium chloride lowers blood pressure and causes natriuresis in older patients with hypertension.J Am Soc Nephrol, vol. 2, no. 8, Feb. 1992, pp. 1302–09. Pubmed, doi:10.1681/ASN.V281302.
Smith SR, Klotman PE, Svetkey LP. Potassium chloride lowers blood pressure and causes natriuresis in older patients with hypertension. J Am Soc Nephrol. 1992 Feb;2(8):1302–1309.

Published In

J Am Soc Nephrol

DOI

ISSN

1046-6673

Publication Date

February 1992

Volume

2

Issue

8

Start / End Page

1302 / 1309

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • Urology & Nephrology
  • Potassium Chloride
  • Natriuresis
  • Middle Aged
  • Hypertension
  • Humans
  • Double-Blind Method
  • Blood Pressure
  • Aged
  • 3202 Clinical sciences