The Effect Of Salt Intake On Hypertensive Vs. Individuals

Hypertension, also known as high blood pressure, has become a major risk factor for several types of heart disease across the globe. In the United States alone, nearly 70 million adults have been diagnosed with this condition [1]. Hypertension is a condition in which arterial walls experience extreme force from blood flowing through; long-term force against artery walls will lead to more serious health problems such as stroke, renal failure, and other cardiovascular diseases [2]. If the proper steps to treat hypertension are not taken, patients have a high risk of developing atherosclerosis, a condition that causes arteries to harden significantly. Smoking, obesity, lack of physical activity, high alcohol consumption, and high sodium intake are factors that may cause an individual to be diagnosed with hypertension [3] Detection of hypertension is crucial in order to reduce the incidence of death by cardiovascular disease [1].

Sodium recommendations are set low enough to protect against high blood pressure, but high enough to allow adequate intake of other nutrients with a typical diet (Page. 379). The recommended adequate intake (AI) for sodium for someone my age and sex is 1500 mg a day (Page. 379). On day 1 of my 3 day analysis I consumed 1507.83 mg of sodium. On day 2 I consumed 1627.11 mg, and on day 3 I consumed 1632.12 mg of sodium. Summarily, during my three day analysis I was well with range of the recommended AI for sodium consumption.

The average American consumes more than double the daily recommendation of sodium. These levels are above the upper limit that is considered to have no adverse effects on our bodies. The CDC lists heart disease as the most common cause of death for Americans, as well as kidney disease at number nine on the top ten causes of death. These are conditions that can be exacerbated by high sodium levels. Not only that, but high blood pressure affects nearly 1/3 of Americans and chronic kidney disease effects about 10% of the population. These are conditions in which reduced sodium in take could be very therapeutic. Especially considering that these very common medical conditions cost many billions of dollars a year to treat. Tenapanor has been developed to help meet the needs of those who need to reduce their sodium intake.

From my food intake record, I can point out that I eat at least 1 cup of rice everyday, which contain 577 mg of sodium. Rice is part of the grains group, and I eat about 8 ounces per day when I should only be eating 6 ounces. Moreover, I eat bread everyday as well, which increases my intake of grains and sodium. These two foods are the main reason my levels of sodium are so high. In addition, I eat a good amount of black beans which represent 368 mg of sodium. Beans are part of the vegetable group and also count as protein intake. I also eat a variety of meat such as chicken, beef, pork and fish. I get some protein from these meats, and also a low percentage of saturated fat comes from these meat. Meat also provides sodium, which increases my sodium levels even more. I consume from 6 to 8 ounces of protein just from meat when I should be only consuming about 6 ounces of protein foods in total. I don’t consume a good amount of dairy products; I only drink a cup of milk a day; however, my intake should be 3 cups per day. On the other hand I don’t eat enough fruits and vegetables; I only eat about 1 cup of vegetables and 1 cup of fruits a day while the recommended amount is two cups of each everyday. I

Lastly, blood pressure is associated with ones diet and lifestyle. It is amazing when one’s diet consist of a high intake of salt they will shows signs of hypertension. Studies have shown that people who did not use salt shown no signs of hypertension. Monitoring the intake of salt will improve blood pressure readings drastically although; it is not the only contributor to high blood pressure. Increasing activity levels has also been known the lower blood pressure readings.

High blood pressure is a growing problem in today’s life Controlling it is the key priority.

Some ethnicities and cultures are more predisposed and at a higher risk related to a high sodium, a fatty diet that can increase their blood pressure with just a small amount of salt. Monitoring their diet and minimizing the amount of salt on their foods can help them lower the risk of HTN and cardiac disease.

In the 19th and 20th centuries, before effective pharmacological treatment for hypertension came about, the three main treatments were used. These included restricting the level of sodium intake through the rice diet for example, sympathectomy which was the surgical ablation of parts of the sympathetic nervous system and finally, pyrogen therapy which involved injecting substances that caused a fever which indirectly reduced blood pressure. However, all of these treatments had numerous side-effects. Globally, the overall percentage of raised blood pressure cases in adults aged 25 and over was around 40% in 2008. In terms of the world’s population, the proportion of people with high blood pressure or uncontrolled hypertension fell slightly

High Blood Pressure in my family history is related to lifestyle practices which is eat too much salty food.

According to the study, excess sodium chloride content in a mouse's diet leads to a mouse-immune response in the gut that produces excess IL-17. IL-17 is pro-inflammatory

A study of limiting salt consumption leads to lowering blood pressure of patients with kidney disease. People in America unconsciously intakes an enormous amount of salt every day. Consuming an excessive amount of salt is consistently associated with risk of heart diseases, and worsening kidney function. Thus, individuals should intake less sodium each day.

Dietary salt intake has been linked to the prevalence of hypertension related deaths associated with cardiovascular diseases in epidemiological studies (Charlton et al. 2008). Salt or sodium (Na) is the second contributor of hypertension after overweight and obesity however, there is evidence that indicates reduction of Na intake can reduce the risk of hypertension (Charlton et al. 2008). Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) (201) states that the average mean salt intake in Australian adults and children is 5.5 g (2, 150 mg). This is lower that the recommended 6 g (2,300 mg) daily salt intake, however it is important to note that this is not the total dietary Na because FSANZ does not take into account naturally occurring Na and

According to Hamilton University, the worldwide study shows that a low salt diet may actually increase the risk of Cardiovascular Disease. The study consisted of more than 130,00 people across the globe. The findings of the research show that regardless of whether a person has high blood pressure or not, a low salt diet is associated with more heart attacks, strokes, and mortality, in comparison to those who consume an average amount of salt. The Population Health Research Institute looked directly at the relationship between the amount of salt consumed and its relation to mortality. They also looked at the relationship of salt and its contribution to heart disease and stroke. All of which differs in people who have high blood pressure, in comparison to those who have normal blood

The goals of Healthy People 2020 include preventing cardiovascular diseases and improving the quality of life by preventing, detecting, and managing any risk factors responsible of cardiovascular diseases and stroke (Healthy People 2020, 2013). The objectives of Healthy People 2020 include increasing the proportion of adults with prehypertension who meet the recommended guidelines for sodium intake, and increasing the proportion of adults with hypertension who meet the recommended guidelines for sodium intake (Healthy People 2020, 2013). Advance Nurse Practitioners (ANP), and Primary Care Providers (PCP) are usually the first provider who see a new patient requiring medical attention or who need a routine physical examination. It is their responsibility to elaborate and follow up a plan of care that includes curative, preventive and educational strategies. ANPs may identify people diagnosed with prehypertension and hypertension and promote change in their life style. In the same way, it will be very beneficial to incorporate some approaches or interventions to decrease the sodium intake in patients with self-reported hypertension (Ayala, Gillespie, Cogswell, Keenan, & Merritt, 2012).

The two major types of hypertension are primary and secondary. Primary hypertension accounts for more than 90% of all cases and has no known cause, although it is hypothesized that genetic factors, hormonal changes, and the altercations in sympathetic tone all may play a role in its development. Secondary hypertension develops as a consequence of an underlying disease or condition. The prevention and treatment of hypertension is a major public health issue. When blood pressure is controlled, cardiovascular, renal disease, and stroke may be prevented. The JCN, reported more than 122 million individuals in American are overweight or obese, consume large amounts of dietary sodium and alcohol, and do not eat adequate amounts of fruits and vegetables; less than 20% exercise regularly. Both modifiable and non-modifiable factors play a role in the development of hypertension