The Impact of Low Sodium Salt Substitute Use on Serum Potassium Levels Among Patients With Hypertension

Conditions studied

Hypertension

About this study

The goal of this pre-post study is to assess the risk of hyperkalemia in adults with hypertension on medication in Bangladesh. The main questions it aims to answer are: Is the risk of hyperkalemia after the initiation of Low Sodium Salt Substitute (LSSS) in people on antihypertensive medication (especially RASi) large enough to be concerned about its broad use in this population? Does initiation of LSSS correct hypokalemia in people on antihypertensive medication (especially RASi) with low serum potassium levels? Participants will be asked to reduce overall salt intake and to use LSSS on every occasion where regular salt would normally be used, including as cooking salt.

Interventions

• Dietary Supplement: Low-sodium salt substitute — The low sodium salt substitute contains 25% potassium chloride (KCl range; 20%-35%)

Primary outcomes

• Incident hyperkalemia (K ≥5.5 mmol/L) (4 and 8 weeks)
• Proportion of the correction of hypokalemia (from K <3.5 mmol/L to 3.5-5.0 mmol/L) (4 and 8 weeks)

Eligibility information

Study locations

• The National Heart Foundation of Bangladesh, Dhaka, Bangladesh