A BP-lowering effect was noted in hypertensive people and those with high sodium intake.

Low potassium intake is associated with hypertension and stroke. In new meta-analyses, investigators assessed whether higher potassium intake protects against hypertension and adverse cardiovascular (CV) events, including stroke.

Overall, 1600 individuals participated in 22 randomized trials; trial interventions were provision of potassium supplements in 20 trials and dietary advice in the other 2. Higher potassium consumption significantly reduced systolic blood pressure (SBP) by a mean 5.9 mm Hg and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) by a mean 3.8 mm Hg. However, subgroup analyses revealed that higher potassium intake lowered BP only in patients with hypertension (i.e., not in patients with normal or low BP). Daily potassium intake of 90 to 120 mmol was associated with the largest reductions in SBP (mean, 7.2 mm Hg) and DBP (mean, 4.0 mm Hg). Notably, higher potassium intake lowered SBP regardless of baseline potassium intake and antihypertensive drug use. When trials were grouped by participants’ sodium intake, the greatest decrease in SBP (mean, 6.9 mm Hg) was seen in studies with the highest daily mean sodium intake (>4 g). In 11 cohort studies that involved 127,000 patients, high potassium intake was associated with less risk for stroke (risk ratio, 0.76) but not with lower risk for incident CV disease or coronary heart disease.

Comment: In these meta-analyses, higher potassium intake lowered SBP and DBP and was associated with less stroke risk. Patients, especially those with hypertension, should be advised to not only reduce their sodium intake but also to increase their potassium intake.

Source: Journal Watch General Medicine