How do sodium levels affect blood pressure?

Answer 1

You kidneys have the role of filtering your blood. The first step that occurs removes large proteins and red blood cells, however sodium is let through. Sodium is very important for regular body action and your kidneys are designed to reabsorb as much as possible back into the blood stream. This reabsorption of sodium creates a 'solvent drag' and because of osmosis (waters ability to flow to the area of highest solute concentration) more water gets dragged back into the blood stream. By decreasing the amount of sodium in the blood, there is less sodium being reabsorbed and because of that, less water. This leads to the water being excreted (urination). The relationship of volume to pressure is well know (think of a balloon filled with air and letting some air out, less pressure.) By decreasing blood volume you decrease blood pressure. There are drugs that physicians use that cause diuresis (increased urination) which can also be used to treat high blood pressure but decreased sodium intake is the preferred first step in treating high blood pressure.

Answer 2

Does *what* high in sodium?

A diet high in sodium may increase blood pressure. With diets high in added salt, the kidneys cannot properly process the additional burden and as the salt retains excess water, the fluid is pushed through the circulatory system, applying excess pressure on the blood vessels.

The presence of excessive sodium in the bloodstream as measured by laboratory testing is called hypernatremia. Signs and symptoms may be subtle and not include any fluctuations in blood pressure.

Answer 3

sodium causes water retention resulting in swelling or edema. this added volume of fluid in the body causes the heart to work harder and blood pressure increases.

Answer 4

yes