The influence of oral potassium citrate/bicarbonate on blood pressure in essential hypertension during unrestricted salt intake.

In several trials, a blood pressure lowering effect of potassium chloride could be demonstrated. However, it is not known if other potassium salts are also effective. In a randomized cross-over trial, 12 patients with essential hypertension were treated for 8 weeks with placebo and 120 mmol potassium per day. Potassium was given together with 50% citrate and 50% bicarbonate as anions. Urinary potassium excretion rose from 61.8 +/- 8.1 to 166.7 +/- 21.2 mmol/24 hours during potassium supplementation. However, blood pressure and heart rate remained unchanged when compared to placebo. Non-chloride potassium salts may not be effective in lowering blood pressure in essential hypertension. Since potassium rich foods like fruits and vegetables contain potassium mostly as non-chloride salts, it appears to be premature to recommend a high dietary potassium intake as a mean to treat elevated blood pressure.