Salty Subjects: Unpacking Racial Differences in Salt-Sensitive Hypertension

Abstract

Purpose of review: To review underlying mechanisms and environmental factors that may influence racial disparities in the development of salt-sensitive blood pressure.

Recent findings: Our group and others have observed racial differences in diet and hydration, which may influence salt sensitivity. Dietary salt elicits negative alterations to the gut microbiota and immune system, which may increase hypertension risk, but little is known regarding potential racial differences in these physiological responses. Antioxidant supplementation and exercise offset vascular dysfunction following dietary salt, including in Black adults. Furthermore, recent work proposes the role of racial differences in exposure to social determinants of health, and differences in health behaviors that may influence risk of salt sensitivity. Physiological and environmental factors contribute to the mechanisms that manifest in racial differences in salt-sensitive blood pressure. Using this information, additional work is needed to develop strategies that can attenuate racial disparities in salt-sensitive blood pressure.

Keywords: Blood pressure; Cardiorenal function; Gut microbiota; Health behaviors; Racial health disparities; Social determinants of health.