The discovery could offer potential pathways to treat resistant high blood pressure
New research has revealed that consuming excessive amounts of salt could spark inflammation in your brain. This subsequently leads to high blood pressure, uncovering a crucial ‘missing link’ between the condition and salt consumption that experts have been attempting to unravel.
Led by researchers from McGill University, the study indicates that certain types of high blood pressure or hypertension actually originate in the brain rather than the kidneys, as previously thought.
This could shed light on why some forms of high blood pressure fail to respond to kidney-focused treatments. Lead researcher Masha Prager-Khoutorsky, associate professor in McGill’s Department of Physiology, explained: “This is new evidence that high blood pressure can originate in the brain, opening the door for developing treatments that act on the brain.
“The brain’s role in hypertension has largely been overlooked, in part because it’s harder to study. But with new techniques, we’re able to see these changes in action.”
Featured in the journal Neuron, the research replicated human dietary habits in rats by feeding them a diet containing 2% salt. This mirrors a human diet packed with fast food and products such as bacon, instant noodles and processed cheese.
The team opted for rats rather than mice, which are typically used in such studies, because rats manage salt and water more similarly to humans. This makes the discoveries more relevant to people.
Using state-of-the-art brain imaging and lab techniques, scientists have been able to track changes in rats’ brains while on a high-salt diet.
They discovered that large amounts of salt activated immune cells in a specific area of the brain. This activation led to inflammation and a surge in the release of vasopressin, a hormone crucial for kidney function, salt balance and blood pressure regulation.
The spike in vasopressin resulted in an increase in the rats’ blood pressure, suggesting that hypertension could originate in the brain. The researchers now plan to investigate whether other forms of high blood pressure follow similar processes.
Salt has long been recognised as a contributor to high blood pressure, alongside other lifestyle factors such as excessive alcohol consumption, smoking or a genetic predisposition to the condition.
High blood pressure is a serious health issue, but often it doesn’t present any immediate symptoms. It may only be detected when it triggers a severe medical event like a heart attack or stroke.
If left unchecked, high blood pressure can lead to complications like kidney failure, heart failure, vision problems and vascular dementia, warns the British Heart Foundation.
It’s estimated that five million adults in the UK could have undiagnosed high blood pressure, meaning they’re completely oblivious to their risk of these potentially fatal complications. Blood pressure checks are available at GP surgeries, pharmacies and even some workplaces.
Reducing your salt intake, which includes the hidden salt in your meals and not just the extra you sprinkle on top, can aid in lowering your blood pressure.
Cutting down on smoking and drinking, whilst upping your exercise game, can also contribute to a healthier blood pressure level.