Abstract

Information is inadequate on the serum and urine electrolyte profiles in Nigerians with mild to moderate essential hypertension. We, therefore, measured the levels of Na⁺, K⁺ and Cl^- in 40 adult Nigerians with untreated uncomplicated mild to moderate hypertension and compared these values with those obtained from age and sex-matched normotensives. Electrolytes were measured using ion-selective electrolyte analyzer. Mean arterial pressure (MAP) was 127.20 ± 4.20 mmHg in the hypertensives as compared to 92.27 ± 6.25 mmHg in the normotensives. Both groups of subjects had comparable weight and body mass indices. Results show that in the hypertensives serum, levels of Na⁺ (152.8 ± 2.14 mmol l^-1) and Cl^-(115.4 ± 2.62 mmol l^-1) were significantly higher than in the normotensives (Na⁺: 136.0 ± 3.23; Cl^-: 102.2 ± 2.52 mmol l^-1).  Serum K⁺ levels were significantly lower in the hypertensives than in the normotensives (4.01 ± 0.08 vs 4.82 ± 0.03 mmol l^-1). The hypertensives excreted more Na⁺ (300.9 ± 41.30 mmol l^-1) and Cl^- (278.6 ± 4.39 mmol l^-1) than the normotensives (Na⁺: 147.10 ± 1.10, Cl^-: 126.40 ± 1.51 mmol l^-1). Urinary K⁺ level in the hypertensives was significantly higher than in the normotensives (73.70 ± 0.73 vs 55.60 ± 0.63 mmol l^-1). We conclude that mild to moderately hypertensive Nigerians show significant differences in their levels of serum and urinary Na⁺, K⁺ and Cl^- from their normotensive counterparts. The relatively higher serum Na⁺ and Cl^- concentrations and the corresponding lower serum K⁺ may indicate their roles in the pathogenesis of hypertension in these patients.

Key words: Electrolytes, mild to moderate hypertension, Nigerians.