Staying Active Offsets the Effects of Salt on Blood Pressure

Do you have salt-sensitive high blood pressure? People who have this type of hypertension can have substantial rises in blood pressure when they eat too much salt. Even normal people will have some rise in blood pressure when they take in too much sodium, but for people with salt-sensitive hypertension, this increase is even greater. More disturbingly, people who have this type of sodium-sensitive blood pressure have a three times greater risk of having a heart attack. One more reason to eat a low-sodium diet.

Effects of Salt on Blood Pressure: Physical Activity May Help

According to a new study, the effects of a high sodium diet on blood pressure can be offset to some degree by staying more physically active. Researchers measured blood pressures on 1,906 individuals for two weeks. During week one, they followed a low-sodium diet and then switched over to a high-sodium one during the second week. They also tracked their level of physical activity.

The results? They found that systolic blood pressures decreased as levels of physical activity rose during the time the participants were on a high-sodium diet. There was also a dose-dependent response. The more active they were, the greater their reduction in systolic blood pressure. Physical activity seems to offset the effects of high salt intake.

What does this mean if you have salt-sensitive hypertension? It shouldn't be justification for eating a high-salt diet, but it should encourage you to get out your exercise shoes and get moving. Exercise has multiple benefits on the heart - and regular, aerobic exercise reduces blood pressure whether or not you have salt-sensitive high blood pressure.

If you do a vigorous workout, you can consume a little more sodium since you'll be losing some through sweat, especially if you're exercising in the heat and you're a heavy sweater - but don't go overboard. Leave the salt shaker off the table, there's already too much sodium in prepared foods.

The Bottom Line?

It's important for everyone to stay physically active, but it's especially important if you have salt-sensitive hypertension. Talk to your doctor before starting an exercise program, especially if your blood pressures aren't well-controlled.

References:

Nephrol. Dial. Transplant. (2007) 22 (4): 992-995.

Doctorslounge.com. "AHA: Physical Activity Attenuates Salt's Impact on BP"