Vascular Effects of Dietary Salt in Humans With Salt-Resistant Blood Pressure

Cardiovascular disease remains a major Public Health problem and is the leading cause of
death in the US. Dietary sodium restriction is considered an important lifestyle modification
for individuals with hypertension; however, there is controversy about the effects of dietary
salt given that many individuals do not have "salt sensitive" blood pressure. Deleterious
effects of salt on the vasculature may explain the finding that chronic DSR reduces the
cardiovascular event rate by 25%despite only minor reductions in BP. It is not known whether
dietary sodium restriction improves central pulsatile hemodynamics, known to be related to
the development of left ventricular hypertrophy and heart failure risk, and whether the
hypothesized improvements in central hemodynamics are similar in men & women. The purpose of
this study is to determine the effects of dietary sodium restriction through dietary
counseling on central hemodynamics and vascular function in men and women with salt resistant
blood pressure.

Inclusion Criteria:

- Habitual dietary sodium intake > 3400mg per day

Exclusion Criteria:

- Abnormal resting ECG

- Current abnormal blood panel (assessed by comprehensive metabolic panel, lipid panel
and complete blood count).

- Hypertension (currently taking anti-hypertensive medications or resting blood pressure
>140/90 mmHg)

- Medical history of cardiovascular disease, malignant cancer, diabetes or kidney
disease

- Obesity (Body Mass Index > 30)

- Current pregnancy

- Unable to provide consent