Effects of Salt Intake on the Nervous Systems of Patients With Salt-Sensitive High Blood Pressure

Some patients with high blood pressure can experience an increase of blood pressure by 10 percent or more by taking in salt. These patients are referred to as having "salt-sensitive" (SS) hypertension. Previous studies conducted on patients with salt sensitive hypertension suggest that their portion of the nervous system responsible for maintaining normal blood pressure (autonomic nervous system) may respond differently to salt than patients with non-salt sensitive (NSS) hypertension. This study is designed to examine the response of the nervous system to high doses of salt in patients with salt-sensitive hypertension and patients with non-salt sensitive hypertension.