INVESTIGATION OF HIGH SALT INTAKE IN A NEPALESE POPULATION WITH LOW BLOOD-PRESSURE

The relation between BP and the factors influencing an increase in BP with age were investigated in the inhabitants of two representative hi lly (Kotyang: 206 men and 212 women) and suburban (Bhadrakali: 265 and 244) villages in Nepal. BP for both sexes was statistically significa ntly higher in Bhadrakali than in Kotyang. Neither hypertension nor el evation of BP with age for men and very few women (1.4%) with hyperten sion were observed in Kotyang, while 10.9% of men and 4.9% of women we re found to be hypertensive in Bhadrakali. Average urinary Na excretio n was 183-221 mEq/day in both villages. Urinary Na/K ratio, percentage body fat (%Fat), total protein, total cholesterol and serum Ca were s tatistically significantly higher in Bhadrakali than in Kotyang, and m aximal oxygen uptake and serum Mg were higher in Kotyang. In spite of high salt consumption, there was no increase in BP with age in Kotyang 's males, suggesting that the BP may be influenced by physical activit y, fat-free mass and nutrient consumption in addition to the high sodi um intake, and that extremely high physical activity and very low %Fat could serve to mute the influence of high sodium intake.