Red blood cell sodium-lithium countertransport and risk of future hypertension: the Olivetti Prospective Heart Study

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Published on: March 5, 2019

P Strazzullo1, A Siani, F P Cappuccio

  • 1Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Federico II University of Naples Medical School, Italy. strazzul@unina.it

Hypertension (Dallas, Tex. : 1979)
|June 11, 1998
PubMed

Insights

Elevated red blood cell sodium-lithium countertransport (Na-Li CT) predicts future hypertension in middle-aged men. High Na-Li CT combined with high-normal systolic blood pressure significantly increases hypertension risk.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular Science
  • Hypertension Research
  • Biomarker Discovery

Background:

  • Elevated red blood cell sodium-lithium countertransport (Na-Li CT) correlates with high blood pressure (BP).
  • The predictive value of Na-Li CT for future hypertension and cardiovascular risk remains undefined.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To assess the association between Na-Li CT and the risk of developing future hypertension.
  • To evaluate Na-Li CT as a predictor of cardiovascular risk in normotensive individuals.

Main Methods:

  • Prospective cohort study of 106 untreated, normotensive middle-aged men.
  • Baseline measurements of BP, anthropometrics, metabolic variables, and RBC Na-Li CT in 1987.
  • Follow-up assessment of hypertension status between 1994-1995 (8-year interval).

Main Results:

  • Na-Li CT remained stable over time (r=0.85) and correlated with systolic BP.
  • 14 out of 106 participants developed hypertension.
  • Elevated baseline Na-Li CT and high systolic BP were significant predictors of future hypertension.

Conclusions:

  • Red blood cell Na-Li CT is a valuable predictor of subsequent hypertension in middle-aged men.
  • Individuals with high-normal systolic BP and elevated Na-Li CT face a substantially increased risk of developing hypertension.

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