[Medical Q&A] How can patients with hypertension “limit sodium and increase potassium”?

Author: Liu Machao Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University

Reviewer: Xia Jinggang, Chief Physician, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University

Controlling sodium (salt) is something that people with high blood pressure need to pay special attention to. The World Health Organization and my country's guidelines recommend that people should not eat more than 5 grams of salt per day, but the average salt intake per person in my country is more than 9 grams per day. By controlling salt intake, blood pressure can also be lowered. If an average person eats 1 gram less salt per day, systolic blood pressure can be reduced by an average of about 1.2 mmHg, the risk of hypertensive heart disease can be reduced by about 4%, and the risk of stroke can be reduced by about 6%. People with high blood pressure can choose low-sodium salt.

Potassium can be said to be the natural nemesis of sodium in table salt, which raises blood pressure. Potassium can promote the kidneys to metabolize more sodium. According to the dietary nutrient reference intake published by the Chinese Nutrition Society, in order to prevent chronic diseases such as hypertension, 3,600 mg of potassium should be consumed every day. Dark green leafy vegetables, fruits, potatoes, and whole grains are all good sources of potassium supplements, especially dark green leafy vegetables.

Once hypertension is diagnosed, patients need to monitor their blood pressure levels more comprehensively to reflect a more objective and realistic blood pressure situation. In addition to measuring blood pressure in the hospital, they also need to self-measure their blood pressure at home and, if necessary, perform 24-hour dynamic blood pressure monitoring.