Do you have high blood pressure that’s difficult to control despite medications? This condition is sometimes called resistant high blood pressure or resistant hypertension. This can be a frustrating condition for both doctor and patient as the blood pressure refuses to come down despite the use of multiple medications. This type of resistant high blood pressure is commonly seen in older and overweight individuals. Now, a new study suggests that eating less salt could be a natural way to bringing stubbornly elevated blood pressure levels down.

Resistant High Blood Pressure: The Study

In this new study, researchers compared two different levels of sodium intake, one high and one low, on twelve people diagnosed with resistant high blood pressure. When compared with the higher sodium intake of 5700 mg. per day, the lower sodium diet consisting of 1150 mg per day resulted in surprisingly high blood pressure drops of 22.7 mm. Hg in systolic pressure and 9.1 mm. in diastolic blood pressure. The lead researcher in this study noted that this degree of blood pressure reduction would be the equivalent of adding two additional anti-hypertensive medications.

Could Eating Less Salt Be a Treatment for Resistant High Blood Pressure?

This is certainly a treatment worth trying for anyone who has resistant high blood pressure. It’s a natural way to lower blood pressure without adding additional medications that could have significant side effects. Unfortunately, lowering sodium intake to 1150 mg per day is challenging for most people since most processed and packaged foods are loaded with salt, and eating a single meal out at a restaurant could easily exceed the 1150 mg per day goal without even shaking the salt shaker.

Eating Less Salt: Would Cutting Back Less Work Too?

It’s unclear whether less drastic reductions in sodium would have an impact on resistant high blood pressure, but may be worth trying if high blood pressure can’t be brought down with medications. Eating less salt by preparing fresh, non-packaged meals at home is one way to significantly lower sodium intake. Herbs and other salt-free seasonings can be used in place of salt, but it’s important to read labels on condiments since common ones such as ketchup, mustard, and soy sauce can be quite high in sodium. There are a variety of potassium based salt substitutes on the market that are a healthy choice, although many people dislike their bitter taste. On caution – potassium based salts shouldn’t be used by anyone who has kidney disease.

The bottom line?

Eating less salt is a healthy choice for anyone with hypertension and could be an effective treatment for resistant high blood pressure. Talk to your doctor about starting a low sodium diet if your blood pressure won’t come down.   

Filed under: Fitness

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