TWENTY-FOUR HOUR URINE SODIUM AND POTASSIUM EXCRETION COMPARED WITH BLOOD PRESSURE AMONG NORMOTENSIVE MALE AND FEMALE YOUNG ADULTS FAMILY HISTORY OF HYPERTENTION

ABSTRACT

A 24-hour urine sodium and potassium excretion is the total amount of excess sodium and potassium excreted from the body after a full 24-hour period. Whether or not the blood pressure of an individual is relatively high or low or normotensive, is strongly dependent on the ratio of the amount of electrolytes (sodium and potassium ion) found in the body of the individual. Studies indicate that excess dietary sodium intake is concerned with increased blood pressure whereas high potassium intake is concerned with lower blood pressure. A male or female young adult who exhibits a normal blood pressure and arterial tension is referred to as being normotensive. Normal blood pressure has a range of 120/80 mmHg. Hypertensive individuals exhibit overly high Systolic Blood Pressure and Diastolic Blood Pressure, 140/90 mmHg. An individual with a family history of hypertension must have a close family member that has been diagnosed with High Blood Pressure. This study was aimed to evaluate the total urine sodium and potassium concentration compared with blood pressure in normotensive male and female young adults without family history of hypertension. A total of 60 apparently healthy young adults were used for this research purpose. The subjects were selected randomly among students of the University of Benin within the age range 18-25 years which comprises 30 female subjects without family history of hypertension and 30 male subjects without family history of hypertension. The result obtained showed that there were no statistically significant positive or negative correlation between total urine sodium/potassium concentration when compared with blood pressure (SBP, DBP and MAP) in both normotensive male and female subjects without family history of hypertension.