The effect of modest salt reduction on blood pressure and endothelial function in diabetic patients

INTERVENTION: Individuals will have an initial two‐week run‐in period where dietary salt advice is given to achieve a salt reduction of 6 g. They are then randomised by computer‐generated random allocation to either placebo or salt 6 g daily for six weeks in matched tablets. Both the study participants and the investigators are blinded. There is no washout period. At the end of the study, individuals are seen at 2 ‐ 4 weeks for a follow up visit. CONDITION: Cardiovascular disease ; Circulatory System ; Complications and ill‐defined descriptions of heart disease PRIMARY OUTCOME: Casual systolic and diastolic blood pressure. Primary outcomes are measured at baseline and weeks 2, 5, 8, 11 and 14. SECONDARY OUTCOME: 1. Urinary albumin excretion; 2. Ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM); 3. Endothelial function ; 4. Arterial stiffness; ; Secondary outcomes are measured at baseline and weeks 8 and 14. INCLUSION CRITERIA: 1. Age 30 to 80 years, either sex 2. Untreated blood pressure of greater than 120/70 mmHg with impaired glucose tolerance on oral glucose tolerance test or diet controlled type two diabetes