Can a salt substitute safely lower blood pressure? new study investigates

NCT ID NCT07460882

Disease control Sponsor: Johns Hopkins University Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Aug 21, 2026 · Updated 4 times

Summary

This study will test whether a low-sodium salt substitute, which contains potassium chloride, is safe for adults with high blood pressure who are on medication. About 607 participants in Bangladesh will replace regular salt with the substitute for a period. Researchers will monitor potassium levels in the blood to see if dangerous increases occur, and also check if it helps correct low potassium levels.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance: low-sodium salt substitute (potassium chloride)
What this could lead to: If it works, this could show that low-sodium salt substitutes are safe for widespread use in people with high blood pressure, helping control blood pressure without major risks.
What could go wrong: This is an early pre-post study, not a randomized trial, so results may not be conclusive. There is a risk of high potassium levels (hyperkalemia), especially in people on certain blood pressure medications.

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Study facts

What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.

Phase

Not a phased trial

Phase numbers describe drug development. The registry uses this when they do not apply, as it does for trials of devices, procedures or behaviour changes, and for observational studies.

Participants

About 607 people

The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.

Started

Aug 2026

Expected to finish

Sep 2027

An estimate. End dates often move.

Lead sponsor

Other sponsor

The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.

Who can take part

This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.

Ages

18 years and older

Sex

Anyone

Healthy volunteers

Not accepted

This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.

Show the full entry requirements

Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.

Inclusion Criteria: * Adults ≥18 years with clinically diagnosed hypertension treated with medication \[on a stable dose at least for 2 months\] * Have a phone for contact Exclusion Criteria: * Those with baseline K ≥5.0 or K \<3.0 mmol/L * Advanced kidney disease (eGFR \<45 ml/min/1.73m2). * Those on potassium sparing diuretics (e.g., spironolactone) * Other medical conditions determined by physicians (e.g., heart failure treated with medication; life expectancy less than 12 months) * Dine out for dinner more than 3 times a week

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

cardiovascular disorder hypertensive disorder

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

Hypertension

How to take part

Only the study team decides who joins. These are the ways to reach them.

The places running it

1 site. The list below names each one and where it is.
The official record

ClinicalTrials.gov lists the study team's own contact details, including names and phone numbers. We don't republish those.

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A doctor treating you

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Can a salt substitute safely lower blood pressure? new study investigates

What the study statuses mean