[Characteristics of the course of hypertension in relation to on plasma renin activity]

In 94 patients with hypertension the plasma renin activity was determined by the Yu. A. Serebrovskaya and I.A. Uchitel technique, the glomerular filtration--after Rehberg, potassium and sodium content in blood serum and 24-hour urine samples--by flame photometry. Hypertensive disease was found to be accompanied by an elevated plasma renin activity in 47.9% of the patients, by a normal level--in 26.9%, and by a reduced--in 25.6%, as compared with control group data. Cardiovascular complicatins were found in 1/5 of those with an elevated plasma renin activity, and no such complications were observed in those with a normal or reduced renin activity. An elevated plasma renin activity is a risk factor. The highest mean age and the longest duration of the disease history are typical for patients with low plasma renin activity. To choose the most rational therapy regimen it may be useful to calculate the renin-sodium index that reflects the relationship between the plasma renin activity and the urine excretion of sodium.