The kidneys, salt and hypertension

Abstract

Although sodium has been implicated in the pathogenesis of hypertension, it has not been settled whether the adverse pressor responses to high salt intake are limited to certain conditions like reduced renal mass or whether some forms of hypertension are truly "essential". In view of the widespread practice of advising salt restriction in patient with raised blood pressure, identification of the "salt-sensitive" individuals (if they do exit) may influence the management of these patients. From the preventive aspect also, it may be worthwhile read dressing the issue of how much salt restriction should be advised to the population at large.