Heterogeneity of hypertension: the diverse role of electrolyte intake

Nonpharmacologic approaches to treating patients with hypertension are both medically worthwhile and laudable as a public health goal. Reduced salt intake has been the primary dietary measure, but now attention is being directed at potassium, calcium, magnesium, and the anions accompanying these cations. The importance of total caloric intake and of confounding dietary variables such as alcohol consumption are also being acknowledged. It is important to recognize that nutrients are not ingested in isolation, but as interactive constituents of a total diet. This principle may account for some of the heterogeneity of the human blood pressure response to variations of individual electrolyte intake. Moreover, failure to appreciate the heterogeneity and interactive influences may result in other than the desired effect in the population at risk.