Abstract Body: Objective
Hypertension remains poorly controlled at the population level. Reduction of salt intake via the DASH diet is effective in reducing blood pressure (BP). We enrolled a cohort of patients with hypertension to assess molecular factors that influence BP control over a follow up period of 6 months. Here we report dietary sodium intake and BP control.
Methods
80 non-diabetic patients aged >40 with hypertension were enrolled in the study. Subjects reccieved brief instruction and a handout on the DASH diet from a study coordinator. Medications were titrated to a BP of <130/80 at enrollment, months 1, 2,3 and 6. BP was measured at each visit using an automated cuff following clinical trial methodology. 24-hour urine sodium excretion was collected at enrollment, months 3 and 6. Descriptive variables were summarized and paired t-tests were used to compare sodium excretion and BP.
Results
Cohort characteristics are in Table 1. 73 subjects provided 24-hour urine samples and BP at enrollment and month 3 while 67 had samples at enrollment and month 6. Mean BP at enrollment was 129.9/75.3 (SD 16.6/12.5) which reduced 123/71.8 (SD 12.9/10) at month 3, p <0.001and 125.4/73.4 (SD 15.2/10.5), p=0.02. 24-hour sodium excretion was 152 mmol (SD 73.6) at enrollment. There was no difference in sodium excretion at 3- (154 mmol, SD 86.2, p=0.8) or 6 months (139 mmol, SD 60,, p=0.18).
Conclusions
According to 24-hour urine collection, participants consumed roughly 3.5 g of sodium per day. Simple instruction and provision of literature regarding a DASH diet was ineffective in reducing sodium intake. Further study is required to determine a more effective educational delivery method and understand any social factors that may inhibit diet implementation in this urban hypertensive cohort.