SALT INTAKE AND ASSOCIATED FEATURES IN A PORTUGUESE HYPERTENSION CLINIC. (June 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Marques, P.; Morais, T.; Lume, M.J.; Tavares, S.; Silva, C.; Nogueira-Silva, L.; Lima, M.J.
• Is Part Of: Journal of hypertension. Volume 36(2018)Supplement 1
• Publication Date: 2018-06
• Subjects: Hypertension -- Periodicals; Hypertension -- Periodicals; 616.132005
• DOI: 10.1097/01.hjh.0000539465.87764.df
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1473-5598

Abstract

Abstract : Objective: High salt intake is associated with hypertension and poor blood pressure control. Although recent efforts managed to reduce salt intake in Portugal it's still considered a public health problem. We aimed to describe the salt intake of a group of hypertensive patients and their main clinical features. Design and method: Retrospective study based on clinical records from patients evaluated in Hypertension clinic of a tertiary care hospital during a year. Demographic, biometric and clinical data were gathered. Every patient with stable anti-hypertensive therapy were instructed to collect a 24 hours urine sample to measure daily salt intake. Samples were considered valid according to creatinine excretion adjusted for age and body weight. Student t tests and chi-square test were used to compare continuous and categorical variables, respectively. Results: A total of 228 patients, 55% females, aged 60.4 ± 15.9 were evaluated in a year. 200 patients had a valid 24 h urine collection with a mean salt intake of 9.3 ± 3.5 g/day. Salt intake was higher in males and obese patients. Salt consumption was not statistically different between patients with resistant and non resistant hypertension. Salt intake did not appeared to be different in diabetic comparing with non diabetic patients and it did not seem to be related with LDL cholesterol control. Patients with Obstructive Sleep Apnea did not seem to have a higher salt intake. 72 patients (32%) were in secondary prevention with the majority (69%) with a prior stroke. Patients with a prior cardiovascular event showed a tendency towards lower salt intake although it did not reach significancy. Considering this group of patients there was not evident a significant relationship with the patients with established cerebrovascular disease. Conclusions: In this group of hypertensive patients salt intake was lower than the average Portuguese population. However, it is still higher than recommended. Salt intake was higher in obese patients, an association well established. In this sample, salt intake didn't seem to be related to resistant hypertension or other cardiovascular risk factors. Patients with prior cardiovascular event tended to show lower salt intake probably related to a more intensive lifestyle intervention.