Renal Excretion of Sodium in Arterial Hypertension

Abstract

Patients with arterial hypertension excrete a sodium load more rapidly than do individuals with normal blood pressure. The relationship of this abnormal sodium excretory response to blood pressure and such extrarenal factors as the central nervous system, dietary salt intake, body fluid volume and sodium content, and the adrenal glands has been studied. On the basis of this and other evidence, it is suggested that the exaggerated natriuresis is the result of a renal tubular defect which occurs after the development of hypertension.