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Sodium, Blood Pressure, and Your ACE Gene: What You Need to Know

Sodium is an essential mineral that helps maintain fluid balance, supports nerve and muscle function, and plays a role in regulating blood pressure. Eating too much sodium can raise blood pressure and increase the risk of heart disease and stroke. One important factor that affects how your body responds to dietary sodium is variation in the ACE gene. ACE produces an enzyme involved in blood vessel function and kidney sodium handling. Small differences in this gene can change how sensitive you are to salt.

This guide explains how ACE gene variation at rs4343 can influence sodium sensitivity and blood pressure. It also offers practical, everyday strategies you can use to manage sodium and support cardiovascular health.

How ACE Affects Sodium and Blood Pressure

The angiotensin-converting enzyme controls part of the renin-angiotensin system, which helps regulate blood vessel narrowing and how kidneys reabsorb sodium and water. Variants in the ACE gene can shift enzyme levels and alter kidney sodium handling. If your genotype increases ACE activity, your body may retain more sodium after a salty meal, and blood pressure may rise more than it would in someone with lower ACE activity.

Practical Steps to Manage Sodium and Protect Your Heart

  • Aim for a reasonable sodium target: Most guidelines recommend keeping sodium under 2,300 mg per day for general adult health. Some people benefit from lower targets; discuss this with your healthcare provider.
  • Choose whole, minimally processed foods: Fresh vegetables, fruits, lean proteins, whole grains, beans, nuts, and seeds naturally contain less sodium than processed foods.
  • Cook at home more often: Home cooking gives you control over salt. Use herbs, citrus, vinegar, and spices for flavor instead of salt.
  • Read labels and compare products: Pick options labeled low sodium, reduced sodium, or no salt added. Be particularly mindful of bread, canned soups, deli meats, sauces, and snacks.
  • Boost potassium-rich foods: Potassium helps balance sodium effects and supports healthy blood pressure. Good sources include bananas, potatoes, dark leafy greens, beans, avocados, and yogurt.
  • Stay active and maintain a healthy weight: Regular aerobic exercise and strength training support blood pressure control and overall cardiovascular health.
  • Manage stress and sleep: Chronic stress and poor sleep can raise blood pressure. Try relaxation techniques, consistent sleep schedules, and mental health strategies that work for you.
  • Limit alcohol and processed sugar: Excessive alcohol and sugary drinks can increase blood pressure and reduce the benefits of other healthy habits.

Supplements and Tests to Consider

  • Electrolyte balance: If you have conditions or take medications that affect electrolytes, discuss checking sodium and potassium levels with your provider.
  • Blood pressure monitoring: Home blood pressure checks can help you see how your lifestyle and diet affect readings. Track readings over time and share patterns with your clinician.
  • Consider professional guidance: A registered dietitian can provide personalized plans for sodium reduction and balanced nutrition.

Genetic Interpretation: ACE rs4343

Two effect alleles — AA (higher sodium sensitivity)

If your genotype is AA at rs4343, you carry two copies of the effect allele. This pattern is associated with increased sensitivity to dietary sodium and a higher likelihood of elevated blood pressure in response to salt intake.

What this means for you:

  • Your body may produce more angiotensin-converting enzyme, which can increase kidney sodium reabsorption.
  • After consuming high-sodium meals, your blood pressure may rise more than in people without this genotype.
  • Managing sodium intake is particularly important to reduce the risk of sustained high blood pressure and downstream cardiovascular effects.

Practical recommendations:

  • Target a conservative sodium intake; aiming well below 2,300 mg per day may be beneficial. Discuss an individualized goal with your healthcare provider.
  • Prioritize potassium-rich foods to help counterbalance sodium effects.
  • Monitor blood pressure at home to see how your body responds to dietary changes.
  • Work with your clinician to review medications, existing conditions, and whether additional testing is needed.
One effect allele — GA (moderate sodium sensitivity)

If your genotype is GA at rs4343, you carry one copy of the effect allele. This is linked to a moderate increase in sodium sensitivity and a partial effect on blood pressure regulation.

What this means for you:

  • Your ACE activity may be somewhat higher than average, which can modestly increase kidney sodium absorption.
  • Your blood pressure may be more responsive to dietary sodium than someone without the effect allele, though less so than someone with two effect alleles.

Practical recommendations:

  • Adopt sodium-lowering habits: choose whole foods, reduce processed food intake, and cook at home.
  • Include potassium-rich fruits and vegetables daily.
  • Check blood pressure periodically, especially after dietary changes or during major life transitions.
  • Discuss your results with a healthcare professional to tailor a prevention strategy that fits your overall health profile.
Zero effect alleles — GG (typical sodium handling)

If your genotype is GG at rs4343, you carry two copies of the non-effect allele. This pattern is associated with standard sodium handling and a typical blood pressure response to dietary salt.

What this means for you:

  • Your body is likely to process sodium in the usual way, without a genetically increased sensitivity to salt.
  • Even without heightened genetic sensitivity, most people benefit from moderating sodium intake because the average diet is often high in salt.

Practical recommendations:

  • Follow general healthy eating patterns: focus on whole foods, limit processed and fast foods, and flavor with herbs and spices.
  • Aim for the recommended sodium limits and boost potassium intake through fruits and vegetables.
  • Continue routine blood pressure monitoring as part of preventive health care.

When to Talk with a Healthcare Provider

  • If you have consistently elevated blood pressure readings or a diagnosis of hypertension, discuss how your genetic result may factor into treatment and lifestyle plans.
  • If you take medications that affect blood pressure or electrolytes, check with your clinician before making major diet or supplement changes.
  • If you have other cardiovascular risk factors such as diabetes, high cholesterol, or a family history of heart disease, coordinate care with your healthcare team.

Disclaimer: PlexusDx provides educational information about genetic predispositions only. PlexusDx does not provide medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider before making changes to your diet, supplements, medications, or lifestyle based on genetic results.