Genetic of Response to Acute Saline Load Test in Hypertension (Naload)

Inclusion Criteria: * age 18 to 65years; * body mass index (BMI) \<30 kg/m2; * Na intake, evaluated as urinary Na excretion of \<300 mEq/24 hours; .office systolic BP (SBP) \>140 mm Hg and diastolic BP (DBP) \>90 mm Hg in 3 consecutive visits to their family doctors. Exclusion criteria: * Female patients * history of myocardial infarction, * stroke, * congestive heart failure, * liver disease, secondary cause of hypertension, * diabetes, * severe hypertension (\>160/110 mm Hg), * abuse of drugs or alcohol, .creatinine clearance \< 80 mL/m. Secondary forms of hypertension (e.g. primary aldosteronism) were ruled out with specific investigations when deemed appropriate