Erythrocyte Na+-K+ cotransport in elderly hypertensive subjects

Na+-K+ cotransport was measured in 21 hospitalized geriatric patients, all recovering from hip surgery. Twelve of these had hypertension, and the other 9 were the control group. Although both groups were comparable for age, blood pressure was significantly different. Mean cotransport values in red blood cells showed no significant difference between the two groups. While Na+-K+ cotransport activity may be hereditary, the authors do not feel the test may be used as a genetic marker for hypertension.