FRACTIONAL EXCRETION OF SODIUM AND POTASSIUM IN NORMOTENSIVE YOUNG ADULT MALES AND FEMALES

ABSTRACT

The quantity of salt (sodium) that is excreted in urine as compared to the amount that is filtered and reabsorbed by the kidney is known as fractional excretion of sodium (FENa). Fractional excretion of potassium is the amount of potassium that leaves the body through urine compared to the amount filtered and reabsorbed by the kidney (FEK). A young adult male or female who has normal blood pressure is referred to as being normotensive. Normal blood pressure (BP) is between 130mmHg to 85mmHg systolic and diastolic BP. Family history of hypertension means there is someone in the family who has or had high blood pressure before the age of 60. This study is aimed at calculating the fractional excretion of sodium and potassium in normotensive young adult males and females with family history of hypertension. A Total of 46 (23 males and 23 females) apparently healthy young adults were recruited for this study and they were within the age range of 18-25 years. The result obtained showed that there were significant differences in PCV, Systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) in females when compared to males. At the end of this study, there were no significant differences in FENa and FEK observed in females when compared to males.