Role of salt in arterial hypertension pathogenesis

Abstract

Aim. To study salt role in essential arterial hypertension (EAH) pathogenesis.
Material and methods. In total, 230 patients with EAH were examined. Taste sensitivity to salt (TSS), sodium urinary excretion, 24-hour blood pressure (BP) profile (24-hour BP monitoring, BPM), main echocardiography parameters, psychological status (SMOL questionnaire), and quality of life were assessed. Patients with low (n=50) and high TSS (n=110) were compared. Control group included 102 healthy individuals.
Results. High TSS was registered in 52% of patients (22.5% of controls), low TSS – in 22% of patients (37.3% of controls). In individuals with high TTS, daily urinary excretion of sodium was higher, cardiovascular complaints, cardiovascular pathology in family history, hypertensive and autonomous crises were more prevalent, and hypertension developed earlier (by 8 years) than in persons with low TTS. In patients with high TTS, BP did not adequately decrease in the nighttime; end-diastolic volume, ejection fraction, myocardial mass, and SMOL score were higher, and quality of life – lower, comparing to low TTS subjects.
Conclusion. In every second EAH patient, the disease was linked with increased salt consumption. In this group, EAH developed earlier, its clinical course was more severe, often accompanied with neurosis-like state.