This study examined the association between the metabolic syndrome and blood pressure responses to dietary sodium intervention in non-diabetic individuals in China. The metabolic syndrome was present in 15.3% of the population. Study results suggested that the metabolic syndrome was significantly and independently related to salt sensitivity (defined as a decrease in mean arterial blood pressure of more than 5 mmHg during low-sodium or an increase of more than 5 mmHg during high-sodium intakes) of blood pressure, with a stepwise increase between the number of clinical criteria of the metabolic syndrome and salt sensitivity of blood pressure. Moreover, compared with individuals without the metabolic syndrome, those with the metabolic syndrome had a 92% increased odds of high salt sensitivity after low-sodium and 70% increased odds of high salt sensitivity after high-sodium intervention, suggesting that a reduced intake of sodium could be particularly beneficial among subjects with the metabolic syndrome. Pubmed article In the editorial accompanying the study, Yang G. underlined the fact that further research is needed to understand why blood pressure in individuals with the metabolic syndrome is more sensitive to salt intake than that in healthy individuals. Because there is no apparent decline in the consumption of salt in China, Chang suggests that a national campaign should be implemented in order to reduce salt intake and have a positive impact on its associated complications such as hypertension.
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