Abstract / Summary
Abstract Background Salt sensitivity is a trait observed in up to 50% of hypertensive patients. This study examined the link between salt sensitivity and coronary microvascular dysfunction in new-onset hypertension to clarify its broader cardiovascular impact. Methods 54 individuals with hypertension were included. Patients consumed a high-salt diet followed by a low-salt diet, and those with a greater than 5 mmHg change in mean blood pressure or systolic blood pressure were classified as having salt-sensitive hypertension. Coronary flow reserve was measured using echocardiography. Results Patients with salt-sensitive (2.51 ± 0.42) and salt-resistant (2.61 ± 0.47) hypertension had a lower Coronary flow reserve compared to controls (3.12 ± 0.33, p < 0.001). However, there were no statistically significant differences between the two hypertensive groups in crude or adjusted analyses. When the alternative definition was applied, patients with salt-sensitive systolic hypertension had a lower Coronary flow reserve (2.41 ± 0.31) compared to both controls (3.12 ± 0.33, p < 0.001) and patients with salt-resistant hypertension (2.71 ± 0.51, p = 0.017). These findings remained consistent after covariate adjustment. Conclusions Coronary microvascular function was altered in new-onset hypertensive patients with salt sensitivity; however, the magnitude was similar to salt-resistant patients. In systolic BP salt sensitivity, dysfunction was more pronounced.