Authors: He Feng J Markandu Nirmala D Coltart Rosemary Macgregor Graham A
Publish Date: 2004/05/01
Volume: 17, Issue: S1, Pages: 181A-181A
Abstract
Feng J He Nirmala D Markandu Rosemary Coltart Graham A Macgregor P403 Effect of shortterm supplementation of potassium chloride and potassium citrate on blood pressure in patients with untreated essential hypertension American Journal of Hypertension Volume 17 Issue S1 May 2004 Page 181A https//doiorg/101016/jamjhyper200403477Many randomised trials have studied the effect of potassium supplementation on blood pressure BP However most previous trials have studied the effect of potassium chloride Whereas potassium in fruit and vegetables is not in the form of potassium chloride but in potassium phosphate sulphate citrate and many organic anions including proteins It is still controversial whether potassium chloride has a greater or less effect on BP compared to other potassium salts We therefore carried out a randomised crossover trial to compare the effects of a shortterm supplementation of potassium chloride and potassium citrate on BPWe studied 14 patients with untreated mild to moderate essential hypertension The average age was 51±3 years mean±SEM Mean BP was 151/93±4/2 mmHg There were 11 men 9 Whites and 3 women 2 Whites After baseline assessments patients were randomised to receive either potassium chloride 96 mmol/day or potassium citrate 96 mmol/day for 7 days Patients will then crossover to receive the other treatment for 7 days BP was measured using an automatic digital BP monitor Omron HEM705CP and the average of 3 readings was used in the analysisThere was a significant fall in BP with both potassium salts With potassium chloride BP fell by 11/5±2/1 mmHg P0001/P001 with an increase in 24h urinary potassium of 83±10 mmol With potassium citrate BP fell by 13/6±3/2 mmHg P001/P005 with an increase in 24h urinary potassium of 78±10 mmol However there was no significant difference in the fall in BP between potassium chloride and potassium citrate P=0385/P=0653Our study demonstrates that for a similar increase in 24h urinary potassium potassium chloride and potassium citrate have a similar effect on blood pressure in patients with essential hypertension suggesting that potassium ion may have an effect on blood pressure independent of its conjugate anions These results support other evidence for an increase in potassium intake and this is best done by increasing the consumption of foods high in potassium eg fruit and vegetables
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