How Excess Salt Leads to Rise in Blood Pressure

While it has been known for a long time that consuming excess salt increases the risk of hypertension, a new research carried out at the Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine and Kent State University has identified the cause for the rise in the blood pressure. According to lead researcher Robert Blankfield, the major reason for the rise in blood pressure when excess salt is consumed is due to the inability of the cardiovascular system to simultaneously regulate blood pressure and body temperature.

Dr Blankfield revealed that the research team concentrated on how the cardiovascular system is affected by intake of salt since it is responsible for both the regulation of blood pressure and keeping the body temperature under control.

The researchers tested the levels of blood pressure, urine output, cardiac index and rectal temperature in 22 healthy adult males and found that the ingestion of salt and water lowered the body temperature compared to when just water was consumed.

“It appears that salt sensitive individuals maintain core body temperature equilibrium more effectively than salt resistant individuals, but experience increased blood pressure in the process. Conversely, salt resistant individuals maintain blood pressure equilibrium more effectively than salt sensitive individuals following salt and water intake, but experience a greater temperature reduction in the process”, Dr Blankfield said.


Source-Medindia