POTASSIUM THERAPY OF HYPERTENSION

Hypertension is an important contributor to cerebrovascular and cardio vascular morbidity and mortality. Nonpharmacological treatment has bee n an important first-line therapy for mild hypertension. In the last d ecade, there is increasing evidence from epidemiological, intervention al, and animal studies for the role of potassium supplementation in th e management of hypertension. The antihypertensive effect of potassium is mediated predominantly via natriuresis. Hence, it is especially ef fective in the management of salt-sensitive essential hypertensive pat ients. In this review, we will summarize the available data and discus s the role of potassium supplementation in the management of essential hypertension.