High potassium intake blunts the effect of elevated sodium intake on blood pressure levels.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of dietary potassium on the sodium effect on blood pressure (BP) in the general population and the adherence of current recommendations for sodium and potassium intake. An overnight (12-hour) urine sample was collected in a population-based study to investigate cardiovascular risk. A sub-sample of 1285 subjects (age range, 25-64 years) free from any medication interfering with BP or potassium excretion was studied.

Kinetics of the electrocardiographic changes after permanent coronary occlusion in rats: Relationship with infarct size.

The electrocardiogram (ECG) has been a useful tool to identify ischemia in humans and laboratory animals. Previous ECG studies showed that presence of pathological Q waves in lead DI in rats submitted to ligature of the left coronary artery (LCA) is a good predictor of successful myocardial infarction (MI). This study aimed to determine the sensitivity and the specificity of these ECG findings to predict successful MI.

Effects of spironolactone in spontaneously hypertensive adult rats subjected to high salt intake.

Objective: To evaluate the effect of spironolactone on ventricular stiffness in spontaneously hypertensive adult rats subjected to high salt intake.

Introduction: High salt intake leads to cardiac hypertrophy, collagen accumulation and diastolic dysfunction. These effects are partially mediated by cardiac activation of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system.