Effect of potassium supplementation on blood pressure in African Americans on a low-potassium diet. A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial

Arch Intern Med. 1996 Jan 8;156(1):61-7.

Abstract

Objective: To determine the effect of potassium supplementation on blood pressure in African Americans consuming a low-potassium diet.

Design: Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial with two parallel arms.

Setting: Community-based research site.

Participants: Eighty-seven healthy African Americans aged 27 to 65 years with a systolic blood pressure between 100 and 159 mm Hg and a diastolic blood pressure between 70 and 94 mm Hg.

Intervention: During the 21-day intervention period, all participants were provided with a low-potassium diet (32 to 35 mmol/d). In addition to this diet, they were randomly assigned to receive either potassium supplements (80 mmol/d) or placebo.

Main outcome measure: Change in blood pressure in the potassium vs the placebo group, based on a total of nine blood pressure readings at three visits. Blood pressures were taken before and during the intervention by means of random-zero sphygmomanometry.

Results: At baseline, the placebo and potassium groups were similar for mean blood pressure (127/78 vs 125/77 mm Hg), 24-hour urinary potassium excretion (50 vs 44 mmol), and all other variables measured (all P > .05). During the intervention, the net difference in 24-hour urinary potassium excretion between groups was 70 mmol. Compared with the placebo group, the potassium supplementation group experienced a net decline in systolic blood pressure of 6.9 mm Hg (95% confidence interval, -9.3 to -4.4 mm Hg; P < .001) and a decline in diastolic blood pressure of 2.5 mm Hg (95% confidence interval, -4.3 to -0.8 mm Hg; P = .004). Simultaneous adjustment for differences in baseline characteristics only strengthened these estimates.

Conclusions: Potassium supplementation reduces blood pressure substantially in African Americans consuming a diet low in potassium. Increased potassium intake may play an important role in reducing blood pressure in this population at high risk for hypertension.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Black People*
  • Blood Pressure / drug effects*
  • Double-Blind Method
  • Female
  • Food, Fortified*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Potassium / administration & dosage
  • Potassium / pharmacology*
  • Reference Values

Substances

  • Potassium