Figure 1.

Mechanism of salt-sensitive hypertension. Under normal conditions, there is a balance between renal perfusion pressure (about 100 mmHg) and sodium excretion (about 100–120 mmol/day). The increment in arterial pressure is a physiological response directed to promote an increase in urine sodium and water excretion required to bring expanded extracellular fluid volume to normal. Maintenance of hemodynamic homeostasis requires higher blood pressure if the pressure natriuresis mechanism is impaired (shifted to the right and less steep). Copyright© 2007. Elsevier. Adapted with permission from Rodriguez-Iturbe B, Romero F, Johnson RJ. Pathophysiological mechanisms of salt-dependent hypertension. Am J Kidney Dis. 2007;4:655–672.61

Abbreviation: U_NaV, urinary sodium excretion.