Abstract
BackgroundIncreased potassium intake has been shown to lower blood pressure (BP) even in the presence of high sodium consumption however the role of dietary potassium on vascular function has received less attention. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between habitual intake of sodium (Na) and potassium (K) and measures of arterial stiffness and wave reflection.MethodsThirty-six young healthy adults (21 M, 15 F; 24 ± 0.6 yrs; systolic BP 117 ± 2; diastolic BP 63 ± 1 mmHg) recorded their dietary intake for 3 days and collected their urine for 24 hours on the 3rd day. Carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (PWV) and the synthesis of a central aortic pressure waveform (by radial artery applanation tonometry and generalized transfer function) were performed. Aortic augmentation index (AI), an index of wave reflection, was calculated from the aortic pressure waveform.ResultsSubjects consumed an average of 2244 kcals, 3763 mg Na, and 2876 mg of K. Average urinary K excretion was 67 ± 5.3 mmol/24 hr, Na excretion was 157 ± 11 mmol/24 hr and the average Na/K excretion ratio was 2.7 ± 0.2. An inverse relationship between AI and K excretion was found (r = -0.323; p < 0.05). A positive relationship between AI and the Na/K excretion ratio was seen (r = 0.318; p < 0.05) while no relationship was noted with Na excretion alone (r = 0.071; p > 0.05). Reflection magnitude, the ratio of reflected and forward waves, was significantly associated with the Na/K excretion ratio (r = 0.365; p <0.05) but not Na or K alone. PWV did not correlate with Na or the Na/K excretion ratio (p > 0.05) but showed an inverse relationship with K excretion (r = -0.308; p < 0.05).ConclusionsThese data suggest that lower potassium intakes are associated with greater wave reflection and stiffer arteries in young healthy adults.
Highlights
Increased potassium intake has been shown to lower blood pressure (BP) even in the presence of high sodium consumption the role of dietary potassium on vascular function has received less attention
Statistical analyses The purpose of the present study was to determine whether habitual intake of dietary sodium and potassium, as assessed by urinary excretion, is associated with arterial stiffness and wave reflection
There was no correlation between HR or measures of BP and augmentation index (AI) or pulse wave velocity (PWV)
Summary
Increased potassium intake has been shown to lower blood pressure (BP) even in the presence of high sodium consumption the role of dietary potassium on vascular function has received less attention. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between habitual intake of sodium (Na) and potassium (K) and measures of arterial stiffness and wave reflection. Low sodium and high potassium diets have been shown to lower BP [3,6] the relationship between sodium and potassium and vascular function has received much less attention. A high sodium meal has been shown to increase augmentation index in normotensive adults [12] while two weeks of a high salt intake in young, healthy, normotensive males increased wave reflection and carotid BP [13]. Arterial stiffening begins at a young age and may be accelerated due to lifestyle choices [19,20,21] exploring the relationship between dietary intake of sodium and potassium and vascular health in young healthy adults is important but has not been explored
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