High Sodium Intakes are Associated with High Blood Pressure in South‐Indians

Objective To explore the association between sodium intake and hypertension in adults from Tamil Nadu, South India. Methods A sample of 8080 men and women (> 20y) recruited for the study was assessed for anthropometry, blood pressure (BP) and key blood parameters. Dietary data were collected using 24‐hr recalls. The association of sodium (Na) intake and BP was analysed using t‐tests. Correlations of Na intake with systolic (SBP) and diastolic (DBP) BP and key variables were estimated. Results Compared to recommended intakes < 2 g/d of Na, mean NA intakes in the study group was higher at 3g/d, with higher intakes for men than for women (4 vs. 3 g/d, p<0.05), and also for subjects from urban, semi urban and rural locations (3.5, 3.2 and 2.6 g/d, respectively). Those intakes were different (p<0.01) in hypertensive vs. normotensive men (3.7 vs. 3.4 g/d) and women (2.8 vs. 2.7g/d). Higher Na intakes were associated with increasing waist circumference, BMI, body fat%, higher SES, anxiety and stress levels and lower physical activity levels. With increasing NA intakes there was a trend in increases in prevalence of hypertension (HBP) in both men and women. Both SBP and DBP increased with increase in quintiles of Na intakes, more in men than women: SBP increased from 123 ± 18 to 128 ± 19 (p<0.01) and DBP increased from 77 ± 11 to 79 ± 12 (p<0.01) in men, while in women SBP increased from 120 ± 20 to 120 ± 20 to (p<0.01) and DBP increased from 75 ±11 to 75 ±11 (p >0.05). Conclusions The association between higher Na intakes and HBP is evident. These findings suggest a pressing need for community‐based efforts in the prevention and control of HBP to avert an epidemic of cardiovascular disease.