Abstract
In order to investigate the relation of both sodium and potassium intake to blood pressure in Aomori prefecture, N a/K, N aCl/Cr and K/Cr (Cr : creatinine) in spot urine, estimated salt and potassium excretion, salt intake score (score) and the salt concentration of miso-soup from 2572 males and 2844 females aged 40-69 years were determined. The correlations between above indices of sodium or potassium intakes and blood pressure were investigated. The results were as follows : 1. Mean Na/K, estimated salt excretion, score and salt concentration of miso-soup were significantly higher in males than in females (3.79vs 3.55, 10.72g vs 9.73g, 3.lvs 2.6 and 1.03% vs 1.01% respectively). Mean NaCI/Cr and K/Cr were higher in females (12.8lvs 10.18 and 2.66 vs 1.97). Mean estimated potassium excretion was not different significantly (2.27g in males vs 2.29g in females). 2. Mean systolic and diastolic blood pressure were significantly higher in males than in females (133.3mmHg vs 130.8mmHg and 81.5mmHg vs 79.0mmHg). 3. Among 67 communities, significant negative correlations were found between the expectation of life of forty years in males and their urinary Na/K, NaCI/ Cr or estimated salt excretion. 4. Partial correlations taking into account the factors of age, height and weight were calculated. Systolic blood pressure was correlated with Na/K positively and with K/Cr, the estimated potassium excretion or score negatively in both sexes. While diastolic blood pressure was correlated with Na/K positively and with K/Cr or the estimated potassium negatively, in males only.
