MedWire News: People with low levels of potassium face an increased risk of developing high blood pressure, results of a US study show.

To investigate whether low dietary levels of potassium are associated with blood pressure levels independently of salt (sodium) intake, Dr Susan Hedayati, from the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas, and team studied data on 3303 people participating in the Dallas Heart Study.

"Our study included a high percentage of African Americans, who are known to consume the lowest amounts of potassium in the diet," explained Dr Hedayati.

Analysis revealed a significant association between potassium levels and blood pressure among the participants. Indeed, lower levels of potassium in the patients’ urine were associated with higher blood pressure levels.

"This effect was even stronger than the effect of sodium on blood pressure," commented Dr Hedayati.

The relationship between low potassium and high blood pressure remained significant even after accounting for age, race, high cholesterol, diabetes and smoking.

Previous research conducted by the team suggests that a gene called WNK1 may be responsible for potassium's effects on blood pressure levels.

"We are currently doing more research to test how low potassium in the diet affects blood pressure through the activity of this gene," Dr Hedayati told delegates attending the American Society of Nephrology's 41st Annual Meeting and Scientific Exposition in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA.

Meanwhile, she advised that people lower their salt intake and eat more foods containing potassium, such as bananas, citrus fruits and vegetables.

"Consuming a larger amount of these foods in the diet may lower blood pressure."

Meeting website