Low levels of chloride might post high risk: study
Sodium in salt is widely acknowledged as a major risk factor for high blood pressure, however, scientists have found that salt’s other constituent chloride might play a role.
A study by researchers at the University of Glasgow has revealed that low chloride levels in the blood is an independent indicator of mortality risk in people with hypertension.
The role of chloride in hypertension has received little attention from scientists hitherto.
After analyzing data from almost 13,000 patients with high blood pressure, followed up over 35 years, the researchers found that low levels of chloride was associated with a higher risk of death and cardiovascular disease.
The results are published in the journal Hypertension. Dr Sandosh Padmanabhan from University of Glasgow was quoted as saying that: “It is too early to draw any conclusions about relating this finding to salt intake and diet. We need more research to establish exactly what the relationship between chloride and health risk is.”
Source: Xinhua
