The effect of weight loss on the sensitivity of blood pressure to sodium in obese adolescents

Article Abstract:

Excessive sodium (salt) in the blood as a result of a high-salt diet has long been associated with high blood pressure in obese individuals. The effect of the combination of obesity and a high-salt diet was examined by observing a group of 60 obese adolescents during specific periods where the salt content of their diet was varied. A control group of 18 non-obese adolescents was given the same salt-controlled diet. Both groups were put first on a high-salt diet for two weeks, immediately followed by a low-salt diet for the same time period. It was observed that the obese group experienced a significant change in blood pressure during this time. At the end of the low-salt diet period, the blood pressure of the obese group decreased. The non-obese group showed no apparent change in blood pressure when the salt content of their diet was varied. A second study was then performed using 51 of the obese adolescents from the original group. After a 20-week weight loss program, 36 of the subjects who lost a significant amount of weight exhibited a lower blood pressure elevation when given a high-salt diet. The 15 who did not have a significant body weight reduction exhibited hypertension (high blood pressure) when given a high-salt diet. A more acute salt sensitivity, evidenced by the elevated blood pressure, is indicated in obese individuals. Various blood component levels were monitored during all phases of these studies and it was found that there was a relationship between excess concentrations of certain hormones in the blood (namely insulin and aldosterone) and salt sensitivity in the obese group. The obese group also showed increased activity in the sympathetic nervous system. It was concluded that salt plays a significant role in elevating blood pressure in obese adolescents. When obesity accompanies hypertension, salt retention may aggravate the condition to a greater extent in obese individuals than in people maintaining normal body weight.

Food and nutrition, Teenagers, Youth, Obesity in adolescence, Adolescent obesity, Sodium metabolism

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Increased blood pressure during potassium depletion in normotensive men

Article Abstract:

Studies have suggested an inverse relationship between potassium absorption and the prevalence of high blood pressure (hypertension). In this study ten normal men were placed randomly on one of two diets which contained the same caloric value. One diet was restricted in potassium; the other contained normal levels of potassium. After nine days, the diets were switched (a cross-over study). This allowed the investigators to prove that the changes were due to the level of potassium. The average arterial pressure of the men did not change with the normal diet, but did become significantly higher when the individuals were placed on the potassium-restricted diet. Injections of sodium had little effect on individuals on the normal diet, but did raise blood pressure of those on the low-potassium diet. The authors conclude that short-term potassium depletion does increase blood pressure in healthy men with a normal blood pressure and also allows sodium loading to further raise their pressure. They also found no evidence that the effect was mediated from changes to blood vessel active hormones or to specific kidney-vessel or blood changes.

Analysis, Evaluation, Measurement, Potassium (Chemical element), Aldosterone assay, Diet therapy, Potassium, Aldosterone

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Ambulatory blood-pressure monitoring

Article Abstract:

Ambulatory monitoring can be regarded as the gold standard for the prediction of risk related to blood pressure, since prognostic studies show that it predicts clinical outcome better than conventional blood-pressure measurements. The use of ambulatory blood-pressure monitoring is gradually increasing, as the monitors are reliable, reasonably convenient to wear and generally accurate.

Electromedical and Electrotherapeutic Apparatus Manufacturing, Medical Instruments and Supplies, Electromedical equipment, New England States, Blood Pressure Transducers, Blood Pressure Monitors, Diagnosis, Comparative analysis, New England, Sphygmomanometer

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