Correlation between Dietary Sodium and Electroecardiographic Left Ventricular Hypertrophy Among Hypertensives

In hypertensives, electrocardiographic left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Animal and human studies suggest an association between left ventricular mass and dietary sodium (Na) intake. This study determined if dietary Na intake in a homogenous ethnic population is associated with electrocardiographic LVH (S in Vl + R in $V5{\geq}5.5 mV$). Blood pressure (BP), body mass index, EKG, and 24 hour urine Na and potassium (K) excretion were determined in 40 otherwise healthy Korean patients with untreated essential hypertension on the standard Korean diet. Among these variables, only Na excretion (mmol/day) was significantly different between those with and without LVH $[LVH+:357{\pm}50,\;LVH-;\;268{\pm}25(p=0.04]$. Thus, dietary sodium intake may be predictive of electrocardiographic LVH.