In "Circulation," the American Heart Association provides the results of the Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics, which reveal that 33.8 percent of adults in the United States suffer from hypertension, also known as high blood pressure. Consistent systolic blood pressure readings of greater than 140 mmHg or diastolic readings greater than 90 mmHg meet the criteria for a diagnosis of hypertension. You can lower your blood pressure by making lifestyle changes including changes to your diet. Dietary supplements like potassium chloride may also help lower your blood pressure, but consult your doctor before taking any dietary supplements.
Role of Potassium
Potassium, one of the essential minerals, functions as an electrolyte. Electrolytes, including sodium, potassium, calcium and magnesium, balance the amount of fluid within your body while also helping to transmit the tiny electrical impulses produced by nerves. Sodium, the main electrolyte associated with hypertension, increases the amount of fluid in your body, and this increases blood volume, causing blood pressure to rise. The Colorado State University Extension reports that potassium helps to counteract the effects of sodium, thereby helping to reduce blood pressure levels.
Types of Potassium
Potassium occurs naturally in many foods including meats, fish, beans, fruits and vegetables. The form of potassium found naturally in foods is potassium citrate. Potassium chloride is a synthetic type of potassium produced by combining potassium and chlorine. Some industries utilize potassium chloride as a fertilizer and a water-softening agent. Although it may be used as a salt substitute, its bitter flavor makes it less appealing than sodium chloride. Patients who suffer from a potassium deficiency can take potassium chloride dietary supplements. Since potassium affects the electrical impulses within the heart, you should only take dietary potassium chloride supplements as directed by your doctor.
Potassium and Hypertension
The Linus Pauling Institute reports the results of a group of studies that involved patients with high blood pressure. When given potassium chloride supplements, patients experienced a slight but significant decrease in blood pressure. The reduction in blood pressure was more significant in patients with higher salt intake. Some doctors theorize that the effectiveness of potassium chloride in treating hypertension may depend upon whether the patient was deficient in potassium prior to treatment, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center.
Recommended Intake
The Institute of Medicine determines the recommended dietary intake of essential vitamins and minerals. They set the recommended intake for potassium as 4,700 mg per day for adults. This represents the amount of potassium needed to support normal body functions, reduce salt sensitivity, lower blood pressure and minimize the occurrence of kidney stones, according to the Linus Pauling Institute. Because potassium chloride may cause dangerous side effects, including heart arrhythmia that can lead to cardiac arrest, many doctors urge increasing your potassium intake through eating a variety of healthy foods like fresh fruits and vegetables and less processed foods that contain sodium but very little potassium.
References
- Colorado State University Extension: Potassium and Health; Andersen et. al.; August 2008
- Harvard Medical School Family Health Guide: Potassium Lowers Blood Pressure; July 2005
- American Heart Association: Potassium and High Blood Pressure; January 2011
- Linus Pauling Institute: Potassium; Victoria Drake; December 2010
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Potassium; Stephen Ehrlich; May 2009
- Institute of Medicine Food and Nutrition Board: Dietary Reference Intake Summary; 2004
