Potassium and Blood Pressure

Abstract

The relationships between serum potassium and urinary excretion of potassium and blood pressure were determined in an unmedicated adult population with a wide range of blood pressure (mean arterial blood pressure 100–130 mm Hg, n=71).

Inverse correlations between both serum potassium concentration and urinary excretion of potassium and standing (but not supine) mean blood pressure were seen (r=−0.41, p<0.005 and r=−0.33, p<0.01 respectively). These relationships persisted also when the influences of age, sex, obesity and kidney function were taken into account in a multiple regression analysis.

The present observation is in accordance with previous reports of an association between potassium metabolism and blood pressure.