Key result
Higher potassium intake is linked to ~2-3 mmHg lower population systolic BP and fewer strokes.
Why the study?
Does increasing potassium intake reduce blood pressure and prevent stroke, renal damage, and other adverse outcomes in the general and hypertensive population?
Does increasing potassium intake reduce blood pressure and prevent stroke, renal damage, and other adverse outcomes in the general and hypertensive population?
Increasing dietary potassium intake, primarily through fruits and vegetables, lowers blood pressure and provides additional cardiovascular and renal protective benefits.
Supports higher dietary potassium for modest BP lowering and stroke risk reduction; hypothesis-generating pending randomized confirmation.
Epidemiological and clinical studies have shown that potassium intake has an important role in regulating blood pressure in both the general population and people with high blood pressure.1 High potassium intake may have other beneficial effects independent of its effect on blood pressure—for example, reducing the risk of stroke,2-4 preventing the development of renal vascular, glomerular, and tubular damage,5 decreasing urinary calcium excretion,6 reducing formation of kidney stones,7 and reducing demineralisation of bone (osteoporosis).8-11 In this article we discuss the evidence for these and other benefits of a high potassium intake. #### Summary points Increasing potassium intake lowers blood pressure in both hypertensive and normotensive people Increasing potassium intake and reducing sodium intake are additive in lowering blood pressure High potassium intake reduces the risk of stroke and prevents renal vascular, glomerular, and tubular damage Increasing potassium intake reduces urinary calcium excretion, which reduces the risk of kidney stones and helps prevent bone demineralisation Increasing serum potassium concentrations reduces the risk of ventricular arrhythmias in patients with ischaemic heart disease, heart failure, and left ventricular hypertrophy The best way to increase potassium intake is to eat more fresh fruit and vegetables We obtained information on the effects of potassium by conducting a Medline search, reviewing reference lists in original and review articles, and communicating with experts in the respective fields. The large international study of electrolytes and blood pressure (Intersalt) showed that potassium intake, as judged by 24 hour urinary potassium excretion, was an important independent determinant of population blood pressure. A 30-45 mmol increase in potassium intake was associated with an average reduction in population systolic blood pressure of 2-3 mm Hg.12 Many clinical trials have shown that increasing potassium intake lowers blood pressure both in people with high blood pressure and, to a lesser …
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
He et al. (2001) conducted a review in Hypertension and general population health. High potassium intake vs. Normal or low potassium intake was evaluated. Increasing potassium intake by 30-45 mmol is associated with a 2-3 mm Hg reduction in population systolic blood pressure and provides independent benefits in reducing stroke risk.
Synapse has enriched 5 closely related papers on similar clinical questions. Consider them for comparative context: