Difference in sodium sensitivity in human hypertensives.

The concept of sodium sensitivity of the blood pressure is discussed in relation to the "early" studies on rigid sodium restriction and the more recent studies on moderate sodium restriction in hypertensive patients. Data on the antihypertensive efficacy of moderate sodium restriction are conflicting, probably as a result of differences in sodium sensitivity of the study populations. Evidence is presented that the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system and the adrenergic nervous system are important determinants of the blood pressure response to sodium depletion and sodium loading, respectively. The fact that sodium sensitivity is related to age and to the height of the blood pressure limits the therapeutic application of moderate sodium restriction in clinical practice.