Effects of exposure to salty drinking water in an Arizona community. Cardiovascular mortality, hypertension prevalence, and relationships between blood pressure and sodium intake
Welty, T.K.; Freni-Titulaer, L.; Zack, M.M.; Weber, P.; Sippel, J.; Huete, N.; Justice, J.; Dever, D.; Murphy, M.A.
JAMA 255(5): 622-626
1986
ISSN/ISBN: 0098-7484 PMID: 3944962 Document Number: 283806
A high sodium content (440 mg/litre) in the water supply of Gila Bend, AZ, USA, caused concern because of apparently high rates of hypertension in Gila Bend Papago Indians. In a survey of 342 Gila Bend Papago Indians and 375 non-Indians from July to September 1983, participants 25 years old and older were interviewed for health risk factors, water consumption and dietary Na and calcium intakes and had height, weight, blood pressure and urinary Na and potassium estimated. No consistent association was found between any of the Na values and systolic or diastolic blood pressure. Mean blood pressures for the Gila Bend whites were lower in most age groups than in comparison US white populations. The prevalence rates of hypertension in Gila Bend were not significantly higher than national rates.