Skin Sodium and Salt Sensitivity of Blood Pressure

Eating too much salt raises blood pressure and the risk of having a heart attack or stroke. The investigators do not fully understand why salt raises blood pressure, but storage of sodium in the body, particularly in the skin, may be important. For this reason, the investigators wish to study the link between skin sodium, blood pressure and cardiovascular risk in patients with high blood pressure, of different ethnicities, using techniques such as skin biopsy and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The results will provide detailed information on skin sodium storage and help us better understand the effects of blood pressure medications on these mechanisms. Ultimately, the investigators aim to develop personalized treatment guidelines for clinical use.