Key result
A 6-month low-sodium diet did not significantly alter heart-rate variability compared to a normal sodium diet in patients with mild to moderate essential hypertension.
Why the study?
Does a 6-month low-sodium diet improve cardiac parasympathetic function measured by HRV in patients with mild to moderate essential hypertension?
Population
80 patients with mild to moderate essential hypertension
Comparison
6-month low-sodium diet vs 6-month normal-sodium diet
Design
RCT, randomized
Follow-up
6 months
Authors
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Low-sodium diet lowers BP without altering HRV in mild hypertension; confirms antihypertensive effects occur independently of parasympathetic modulation.
RCT (n=80)
Does a 6-month low-sodium diet improve cardiac parasympathetic function measured by HRV in patients with mild to moderate essential hypertension?
A 6-month moderate sodium restriction significantly lowers blood pressure but does not alter heart rate variability, suggesting other mechanisms mediate its antihypertensive effects.
Mäkelä et al. (2008) conducted an RCT in Mild to moderate essential hypertension (n=80). Low-sodium diet vs. Normal sodium diet was evaluated on Cardiac parasympathetic function as measured by heart-rate variability (HRV). A 6-month low-sodium diet did not significantly alter heart-rate variability compared to a normal sodium diet in patients with mild to moderate essential hypertension.
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