Patient case (clinical description): A 67-year-old woman comes to the clinic due to recent episode of choking, dysphagia, and cough.  Her other medical problems include hypertension, dyslipidemia, and osteoarthritis.  She does not smoke or use alcohol. She lives with her husband and she is able to do her own daily activities. She used to teach elementary school. Blood pressure is 135/80 mm Hg.  The patient's breath smells bad. Other physical examinations are normal.  A barium swallow study reveals an abnormality in the upper esophagus with an outpouching at the junction of the lower part of the throat and the upper portion of the esophagus.

Patient's own account: I'm a 67-year-old lady, and I went to the clinic due to nonstop choking, difficulty swallowing, and coughing. I also suffer from hypertension, cholesterol, and osteoarthritis. I do not smoke or drink alcohol. I live with my husband, and we are independent retired elementary school teachers. During the exam, my blood pressure was 135/80 mm Hg. The doctor told me I had a smelly breath. How embarrassing! The rest of my physical exam was normal. I did a barium swallow test, which is an X-ray of my throat, which revealed a problem in the upper part of my esophagus, where there's a small pouch or bulge at the spot where my throat meets the esophagus.

Clinical trial: Analyzing Genetic Factors Involved in Blood Pressure Changes Due to Salt and Potassium Intake (The GenSalt Study)

Eligibility criteria:
Inclusion Criteria:

        Inclusion Criteria for Primary Participants:

          -  Between 18 and 60 years old

          -  Systolic blood pressure level of 130 to 160 mm Hg and/or diastolic blood pressure
             level of 85 to 100 mm Hg

          -  Both parents (2-generation nuclear family) or at least one parent (at least a
             3-generation family) is available and willing to participate in the study

          -  At least one sibling meets eligibility criteria for participation

        Inclusion Criteria for Sibling/Spouse/Child Participants:

          -  Siblings and spouses must be between 18 and 60 years old; children must be more than
             16 years old

          -  Lives in the same village as the main study participant

        Exclusion Criteria for All Participants:

          -  Current stage 2 hypertension (systolic blood pressure level greater than or equal to
             160 mm Hg and/or diastolic blood pressure level greater than or equal to 100 mm Hg)

          -  Current or recent (i.e., less than 1 month before the screening visit) use of
             antihypertensive medications or medications that affect blood pressure

          -  Secondary hypertension

          -  History of clinical cardiovascular disease, including heart attack, congestive heart
             failure, stroke, and peripheral arterial disease

          -  Chronic kidney failure or urinary albumin concentration of greater than or equal to 20
             mg/dL

          -  Current diabetes (i.e., fasting serum glucose level greater than or equal to 126
             mg/dL) or use of insulin or oral hypoglycemic agents

          -  Peptic ulcer disease requiring treatment in the 2 years before study entry

          -  Liver disease requiring treatment in the 2 years before study entry

          -  Pregnant

          -  Heavy alcohol drinker (i.e., more than 14 drinks per week)

          -  Currently adhering to a low sodium diet
No condition on gender to be admitted to the trial.
No healthy subjects accepted to join the trial.
Subject must be at least 18 Years old.
Subject must be at most 60 Years

Eligibility (NLI label): Contradiction