The American Heart Association defines hypertension, the medical term for high blood pressure, as a systolic pressure of 140 mmHg or higher and/or a diastolic pressure of 90 mmHg or higher for an adult. Doctors often refer to high blood pressure as the "silent killer" because although it causes damage to the arteries and contributes to heart disease, stroke and kidney failure, it usually fails to cause symptoms. Electrolytes, such as sodium and potassium, help to regulate blood pressure.
Contributing Factors
High blood pressure can occur as a result of another medical condition, such as a kidney disorder or hormone disorder. Doctors classify this type of hypertension as secondary high blood pressure. When high blood pressure occurs in the absence of another medical condition, they classify it as primary high blood pressure, which accounts for approximately 85 to 95 percent of hypertension cases, according to the Merck Manual. The exact cause of primary hypertension usually cannot be determined as many factors contribute to high blood pressure, including age, race, gender, heredity, exercise, diet and salt intake.
Effects of Sodium
Sodium acts as an electrolyte in the body, meaning it helps to conduct electrical impulses. This is important for proper nerve function and for maintaining a rhythmic heartbeat. In addition, sodium, along with potassium, moves in and out of cells, helping to transport nutrients. Because sodium attracts water, in excessive amounts, it increases the volume of water in the blood, which increases the pressure the blood exerts on the walls of the arteries, creating high blood pressure.
Effects of Potassium
As an electrolyte, potassium functions similar to sodium in that it helps to conduct electrical impulses between nerves and helps to keep the heart beating rhythmically. Potassium levels too high or too low can cause abnormal heart rhythms and even lead to cardiac arrest, as described by the Merck Manual. The kidneys therefore help the body maintain potassium levels by filtering out excess potassium along with any excess sodium and water.
Potassium Protection
Because sodium and potassium work closely together to conduct electrical impulses and transport nutrients, the level of each may affect the other. Maintaining enough potassium in the body by eating the recommended 4,700 mg per day, according to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, can counterbalance the effects of high sodium by maintaining the volume of water in the blood.
DASH Diet
Doctors recommend that patients with high blood pressure follow the DASH---Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension---diet. The DASH diet supports a lifelong change in eating that incorporates a low-fat, low-cholesterol diet with emphasis on eating fruit, vegetables and low-fat milk products, which all contain low levels of sodium. The DASH diet reduces red meats and sugars and incorporates food items high in potassium, magnesium, calcium and fiber.
