ESC Congress 2026 Abstract · Oct 26, 2026

Association of genetic variations in GRK4 with salt-sensitive, blood pressure changes and hypertension incidence in Chinese adult

By Hu G, Wang Y, Niu Z et al.

Background: G protein-coupled receptor kinase 4 (GRK4) promotes blood pressure elevation through impaired sodium excretion and enhanced tubular reabsorption, playing a critical role in salt-sensitive and essential hypertension pathogenesis. Purpose: This cohort study examined GRK4 genetic variants in relation to salt sensitivity, longitudinal blood pressure (BP) changes, and hypertension incidence within the Baoji Salt-Sensitive Study. Methods: 514 participants enrolled at baseline (2004), 333 completed sequential dietary interventions: 3-day habitual diet followed by 7-day low-sodium diet, 7-day high-sodium diet, and 7-day high-sodium plus potassium supplementation diet. Fourteen-year follow-up assessed longitudinal BP progression and incident hypertension. Results: Key findings indicate rs3796468 significantly influenced systolic BP (SBP) responses to low-sodium, high-sodium, and high-sodium plus potassium supplementation regimens, while rs3733219 specifically correlated with low-sodium response. Longitudinal analyses revealed rs10021191, rs1419043, and rs3733219 associated with 8-year SBP changes, whereas rs2471351 and rs1801058 tracked 14-year SBP changes. Notably, rs1801058 predicted hypertension incidence. Conclusion: These results establish GRK4 polymorphisms as genetic determinants of salt sensitivity and hypertension development.

doi.org/10.1093/eurheartj/ehag785.3078 Open access Interventions