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Salt, aldosterone and hypertension

Journal of Human Hypertension volume 27, pages 1–6 (2013)Cite this article

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Abstract

Clinical studies have shown that aldosterone and salt are independently related to hypertension, cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. More recently, studies in humans have demonstrated that, similarly to animals, endogenous aldosterone and dietary salt intake have not only separate, but also combined effects to accelerate target-organ deterioration. The aldosterone–salt interaction has important clinical implications, because combined effects of both can be minimized, if not avoided, by reducing salt intake. This interaction could also be interrupted by blocking the effects of aldosterone, with use of mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists, or by reducing aldosterone effects by adrenalectomy, in patients with aldosterone producing adenoma. Furthermore, aldosterone reduction or blockade may reduce salt appetite.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Endocrine Hypertension Research Centre, University of Queensland School of Medicine, Princess Alexandra and Greenslopes Hospitals, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia

    E Pimenta, R D Gordon & M Stowasser

  2. Clinical Centre of Research Excellence in Cardiovascular Disease and Metabolic Disorders, University of Queensland School of Medicine, Princess Alexandra and Greenslopes Hospitals, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia

    E Pimenta & M Stowasser

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Correspondence to M Stowasser.

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Pimenta, E., Gordon, R. & Stowasser, M. Salt, aldosterone and hypertension. J Hum Hypertens 27, 1–6 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1038/jhh.2012.27

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Keywords

  • hypertension
  • salt
  • aldosterone

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