What should you know about salt sensitive hypertension?

The kidneys normally remove extra sodium in urine. In salt-sensitive hypertension, the body may retain more sodium and water, increasing the volume the heart pumps and affecting pressure in blood vessels. Sensitivity can be influenced by age, kidney function, family history and other health conditions; it cannot be confirmed from a single high reading.

High blood pressure often causes no clear symptoms, yet over time it can strain blood vessels and organs. It is associated with problems such as chronic kidney disease, heart failure, angina, stroke and transient ischaemic attack. Obesity and obstructive sleep apnoea may also affect blood-pressure control.

Check blood pressure as advised and keep a record that includes the time, position and medicines taken. Read food labels for sodium, limit heavily salted packaged foods, and flavour meals with herbs, spices, citrus or vinegar. Do not use potassium-based salt substitutes without advice, particularly if you have kidney disease or take medicines that alter potassium. Continue prescribed treatment and attend reviews.

Arrange medical review if readings remain high, medicines cause troublesome effects, or you develop swelling, breathlessness or reduced exercise tolerance. Seek emergency help for chest pressure, severe breathlessness, sudden weakness, facial drooping, trouble speaking, sudden vision change or a severe unusual headache. These may signal an urgent heart or brain problem.

Ask whether your pattern suggests salt sensitivity, how to measure blood pressure at home, and which foods or medicines may affect it. Ask whether kidney tests, sleep assessment or a medication review would help, and what symptoms require urgent care.