Potassium therapy of hypertension

Hypertension is an important contributor to cerebrovascular and cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Nonpharmacological treatment has been an important first-line therapy for mild hypertension. In the last decade, there is increasing evidence from epidemiological, interventional, and animal studies for the role of potassium supplementation in the management of hypertension. The antihypertensive effect of potassium is mediated predominantly via natriuresis. Hence, it is especially effective in the management of salt-sensitive essential hypertensive patients. In this review, we will summarize the available data and discuss the role of potassium supplementation in the management of essential hypertension.