Higher Salt Sensitivity Linked to Increased High Blood Pressure Risk: Here’s What to Do

Why do some people have blood pressure spikes even though they don’t eat too much salt? There is growing evidence that women of any race or age are more sensitive to salt than men, which can increase their risk of developing high blood pressure and its associated complications, which can be severe and even life-threatening. Why do women behave this differently? How to reduce its impact?

according toWorld Health OrganizationAccording to (WHO) data, nearly 1.3 billion adults aged 30 to 79 worldwide suffer from high blood pressure. Since 1990, the number of people with high blood pressure has doubled. It is well known that salt is one of the factors affecting high blood pressure.

According to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recommendations, a person’s daily salt intake should not exceed 2300 mg, about 1 teaspoon of salt. However, the average American consumes about 3,400 mg of sodium per day. Excessive salt intake in the diet increases the risk of high blood pressure.

Amargo Couture, a registered dietitian at Staten Island University Hospital in New York, told The Epoch Times: “When we consume high-salt foods, because of the hydrophilic nature of sodium, it makes Blood volume increases, causing our blood pressure to rise.” Uncontrolled high blood pressure increases the risk of serious complications such as heart disease, kidney disease, heart failure, stroke, and blindness.

However, there is another factor that many people are not aware of and that is salt sensitivity. Salt sensitivity is the degree to which a person’s body responds to ingested salt, and salt sensitivity varies from person to person. Some people are more sensitive to salt, and in salt-sensitive people, even small amounts of sodium can lead to increased blood pressure.

People who are salt-sensitive retain salt in their body rather than excrete excess salt through urine. A person is salt-sensitive if his blood pressure rises by more than 10% after consuming a high-salt diet.

High salt sensitivity in women stems from a hormone

one itemResearch ReviewIt was found that women are more salt-sensitive than men, so salt is more likely to contribute to the risk of high blood pressure in women.

The study authors emphasize that women are generally better protected from cardiovascular disease than men, but this changes with age. Women tend to be more sensitive to salt from adolescence, and once they enter menopause, the severity and prevalence of salt sensitivity will further increase.

Women are more sensitive to a hormone called aldosterone, which is associated with female fertility and plays an important role in the female body.

“Salt-sensitive Women were unable to reduce their aldosterone production enough, which we think contributes to their salt sensitivity.”

Salt sensitivity may lead to refractory hypertension. Studies have shown that salt-sensitive people have an increased risk of death even if their blood pressure is within a healthy range.

The study found that participants who had died had an average age of about 48 years and were nearly twice as likely as survivors to have high blood pressure (63.4% vs. 33.8%) and salt sensitivity (73.4% vs. 44.9%).

Unfortunately, according to the US CDC, only about 25% of adult patients have high blood pressure under control, and it is estimated that 50% to 60% of high blood pressure patients are saltsensitiveBy.

4 ways to reduce the risk of high blood pressure with a low-salt diet

To reduce the risk of high blood pressure, salt-sensitive women can take several steps:

• Avoid processed and packaged foods and reduce salt intake, which often contain high amounts of sodium.

• Choose fresh fruits, vegetables, lean proteins and whole grains.

• Try using spices and seasonings to add flavor to meals rather than relying on salt.

• Regular exercise and maintaining a healthy weight can also help salt-sensitive women reduce their risk of developing high blood pressure.

Salt control, beware of hyponatremia, the secret to balancing salt is potassium supplementation

It is important to remember that too little saltIt can also cause serious health problems. Salt is an essential nutrient and acts as an electrolyte to maintain the body’s fluid balance so that muscles and nerves can function properly.

When the amount of this essential mineral is abnormally low, a person can develop a condition called hyponatremia. Symptoms of hyponatremia include:

• nausea or vomiting
• headache, confusion or fatigue
• muscle weakness, twitches or spasms
• seizures or coma

In addition, a balanced intake of appropriate sodium and potassium is also very important. Potassium and sodium are electrolytes that help the body function properly by maintaining fluid and blood volume. Consuming too little potassium and too much sodium can also lead to high blood pressure.

Potassium-rich foods include potatoes, avocados, beans, and bananas.

Increasing your potassium intake can help lower blood pressure, and the American Heart Association (AHA) recommends that adults get 4,700 mg of potassium per day.

For the English report, see The Epoch Times:Higher Salt Sensitivity Linked to Increased High Blood Pressure Risk: Here’s What to Do 。

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