Behavioral stress potentiates the blood pressure effects of a high sodium intake

The present study examined the blood pressure effects of a high sodium intake administered during two levels of behavioral stress. In this double-blind study, 32 medical students were randomly assigned to receive either sodium chloride (high sodium) or placebo tablets (usual sodium). Resting blood pressure and body weight were recorded across a 14-day period preceding examinations (high stress) and during the summer when academic demands were reduced (low stress). The high sodium intake during the high stress period was associated with greater elevations in resting systolic blood pressure and mean arterial pressure than either the usual sodium intake during the high stress period or the high sodium intake during a low stress period. These findings suggest that behaviorally induced neuroendocrine responses can potentiate a blood pressure response to a high sodium intake.