EFFECTS OF POTASSIUM-ENRICHED SALT ON PRE-HYPERTENSIVE PATIENTS ATTENDING UNIVERSITY OF ABUJA TEACHING HOSPITAL, GWAGWALADA-NIGERIA

Elevated blood pressure is an important risk factor for hypertension and cardiovascular complications. Potassium-enriched salt substitutes may help to reduce blood pressure by lowering sodium intake while increasing potassium consumption. This study assessed the effects of potassium-enriched salt on blood pressure, serum electrolytes, renal and liver function, and acceptability among pre-hypertensive patients attending University of Abuja Teaching Hospital (UATH), Gwagwalada. A quasi-experimental one-group pre-test and post-test design was adopted. Forty-two (42) participants aged 18–60 years were enrolled, of whom thirty-eight (38) participants completed the eight-week intervention. Participants replaced regular salt with a potassium-enriched salt containing 66% potassium chloride and 34% sodium chloride. Blood pressure, serum electrolytes, renal and liver function were assessed before and after the intervention. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and paired t-test in SPSS version 31, with statistical significance set at p < 0.05. The results show that systolic and diastolic blood pressure decreased significantly following the intervention (p < 0.001). Serum sodium decreased from 145.74 ± 2.06 to 139.47 ± 1.93 mmol/L, while serum potassium increased from 3.01 ± 0.10 to 3.87 ± 0.28 mmol/L (p < 0.001). Serum chloride decreased significantly (p = 0.036), whereas bicarbonate showed no significant change (p = 0.184). Urea and creatinine showed no significant changes. Aspartate aminotransferase decreased significantly (p < 0.001), while albumin increased significantly (p = 0.039); other liver parameters showed no significant changes. Overall, 68.4% of participants accepted the potassium-enriched salt. Potassium-enriched salt was associated with significant reductions in blood pressure and favorable changes in serum sodium and potassium, with no significant changes in renal function over the eight-week intervention. The study concluded that potassium-enriched salt is effective, safe and acceptable dietary intervention for reducing blood pressure among pre-hypertensive patients. The healthcare providers should promote the use of potassium-enriched salt for prevention as the intervention was acceptable to most participants in the study.