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Abstract

Background: Salt sensitivity, a key determinant of individual blood pressure response to sodium intake, plays a critical role in the early pathogenesis of hypertension. Its prevalence and implications among normotensive young adults remain underexplored, especially in populations with high sodium consumption.
Objective: To assess the prevalence of salt sensitivity and its association with systolic and diastolic blood pressure responses among normotensive individuals aged 18–30 years in South Punjab.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted over four months, involving 100 normotensive participants aged 18 to 30 years. Participants underwent two dietary phases: low sodium (<50 mmol/day) and high sodium (>200 mmol/day), each lasting seven days. Blood pressure was measured during both phases using a standardized automated device. Salt sensitivity was defined as a ≥10 mmHg increase in systolic or ≥5 mmHg in diastolic blood pressure between phases. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, t-tests, and Pearson correlation (p<0.05).
Results: Of the 100 participants, 41% were classified as salt-sensitive. Mean systolic and diastolic pressures increased from 112.3 ± 6.5 mmHg and 72.1 ± 4.8 mmHg during the low-sodium phase to 120.7 ± 7.2 mmHg and 78.9 ± 5.1 mmHg in the high-sodium phase, respectively. Salt-sensitive individuals showed a significantly higher mean systolic (Δ13.1 ± 2.9 mmHg) and diastolic (Δ7.6 ± 1.9 mmHg) response compared to salt-resistant individuals. Significant positive correlations were observed between sodium intake and both systolic (r = 0.58) and diastolic (r = 0.51) responses (p<0.001).
Conclusion: Salt sensitivity is prevalent among young, normotensive adults and significantly influences blood pressure variability. Early identification may inform dietary strategies to prevent future cardiovascular risks.