Low salt diet and frusemide in the treatment of hypertension

The BPs of 86 of 100 severely hypertensive patients were controlled by measures designed to reduce total body sodium, namely a low salt diet plus the addition of incrementally increased frusemide treatment if diet alone was inadequate. Control of hypertension was maintained over prolonged periods of time in 70 of the patients. Among the 14 who failed to respond adequately, mean plasma renin level was higher (when tested) than in those who did respond adequately, and renal artery stenosis was discovered in 2. Supplementary propranolol controlled the hypertension in 8 of the inadequate responders.