Salt restriction in the treatment of hypertension.

Moderate salt restriction lowers blood pressure in many patients with essential hypertension. The effectiveness of the salt restriction in lowering blood pressure appears to be directly related to the severity of the blood pressure and suppression of the renin-angiotensin system. Patients with more severe hypertension, older patients or black patients will respond best. Salt restriction is additive to the effect of blood pressure lowering drugs particularly those that block the renin-angiotensin system such as beta-blockers and converting enzyme inhibitors. All patients with high blood pressure and, particularly those already on drug treatment, should be instructed on how to cut back their salt intake moderately. Most patients find it easy to reduce salt intake to around half of their present consumption.