Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 30, 2026

Mesenteric Artery Contraction and Relaxation Studies Using Automated Wire Myography
Published on: September 22, 2011
Dietary sodium, calcium, and potassium, and blood pressure
Abstract:
The cross-sectional association of systolic blood pressure with dietary sodium, calcium, and potassium, as estimated from dietary histories, was investigated by multiple regression analysis of data gathered in the Netherlands in the early 1950s in a general health examination of 2,291 middle-aged civil servants and spouses of civil servants. A statistically significant negative trend with systolic blood pressure was seen for calcium intake in both males and females, even after adjustments for covariates. For sodium and potassium intake, the observed negative trends were not significant after multivariate analyses. In addition, no consistent associations were found between diastolic blood pressure and the micronutrients after multivariate analyses, except for a significant negative association with calcium intake in females. In this study population, blood pressure was a strong independent risk factor of total mortality: 15- and 25-year mortality was about twice as high for hypertensives (greater than or equal to 160 mmHg) as for normotensives (less than 160 mmHg). These findings support the conclusion in recent epidemiologic studies that higher intakes of calcium are associated with lower systolic blood pressure, and they extend the evidence to an earlier time period.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
Hypertension and Regulation of Blood Pressure
Antihypertensive Drugs: Action of Diuretics
Antihypertensive Drugs: Potassium-Sparing Diuretics
Antihypertensive Drugs: Action of Calcium Channel Blockers
Roles of Electrolytes: Sodium and Potassium
Regulation of Sodium and Potassium
Sodium Regulation
Sodium ions make up approximately 90% of extracellular cations, with a normal blood plasma concentration of 136–148 mEq/L. A decrease in blood volume and pressure triggers the release of renin from granular cells in the juxtaglomerular complex (JGC), primarily in...

