Q: I have a history of high blood pressure but controlled my blood pressure with diet and exercise w/ out meds. After 9mos. then started to experienced high blood pressure periodically and increasing stroke symptoms. I went to ER where my blood pressure was stabilized and I was told that I had low sodium. How is it possible to have low sodium and primary high blood?
A: People with high blood pressure can have other medical problems. Vomiting and diarrhea are two common conditions that can cause a low sodium level. Unless you get really dehydrated, blood pressure will be unchanged. More serious conditions are heart failure and kidney failure. You should talk to your doctor about what caused your low sodium.
Further Reading:
Low Sodium & High Blood Pressure – Livestrong.com
Salt (Sodium) And High Blood Pressure – TheBloodPressurecenter.com
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I believe that approximately 1 in 4 hypertensives are salt sensitive which means that salt in the diet does not serioulsy effect blood pressure for most hypertensives. When I cut salt completely out of my diet it had no effect on my blood pressure. Conversely it may be that low sodium in your blood would also not be expected to lower your blood pressure if you are not salt sensitive. Maybe the good doctor could discuss this.
Sea salt is a better choice for flavoring food and may not increase blood pressure like regular table salt (Morton’s, etc.) It does not have the extra ingredients in it and is much healthier. Tastes great too. Tip: the best type is the grey or pink colored. If it is white, it has been processed.