Theodore W. Kurtz, MD

Theodore W. Kurtz, MD

Professor of Laboratory Medicine, Chief of Clinical Chemistry
Laboratory Medicine
Specialty Areas
Clinical Chemistry

UCSF
Laboratory Medicine, Box 0134
185 Berry Street, Suite 290
San Francisco, CA 94143
United States

UCSF Directory

Hospital Affiliations
UCSF Parnassus Heights
Other UCSF Organizational Association(s)
  • Cardiovascular Research Institute
  • Program in Human Genetics
Research and Clinical Interests

Mechanisms, prevention, and treatment of NaCl-dependent hypertension.

Selected Publications
  • Kurtz TW, DiCarlo SE, Pravenec M, Morris RC, Jr. The pivotal role of renal vasodysfunction in salt sensitivity and the initiation of salt-induced hypertension. Current Opinion in Nephrology and Hypertension. 2018; 27(2):83-92.
  • Kurtz TW, DiCarlo SE, Pravenec M, Jezek F, Silar, J, Kofranek J, Morris RC, Jr.  Testing computer models predicting human responses to a high salt diet: Implications for understanding mechanisms of salt sensitive hypertension. Hypertension. 2018; 72(6):1407-1416.
  • Morris RC, Pravenec M. Silhavy J, DiCarlo SE, Kurtz TW.  Small amounts of inorganic nitrate or beetroot provide substantial protection from salt-induced increases in blood pressure. Hypertension. 2019; 73:1042-1048. PMID: 30917704
  • Kurtz TW, DiCarlo SE, Pravenec M, Morris RC. No evidence of racial disparities in blood pressure salt sensitivity when potassium intake exceeds levels recommended in the US dietary guidelines. Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol. 2021 05 01; 320(5):H1903-H1918. PMID: 33797275. PMCID: PMC8163653
  • Kurtz TW, Pravenec M, DiCarlo SE. Will Food and Drug Administration guidance to reduce the salt content of processed foods reduce salt intake and save lives? Hypertension. 2022 Apr; 79(4):809-812.  PMID: 35263161 PMCID: PMC8903218 
  • Kurtz TW, Pravenec M, DiCarlo SE. Mechanism-based strategies to prevent salt sensitivity and salt-induced hypertension. Clinical Science. 2022 Apr 29;136(8):599-620. doi: 10.1042/CS20210566. PMID: 35452099 
  • Kurtz TW, Morris RC, Pravenec M, Lujan H, DiCarlo SE. Hypertension in primary aldosteronism is initiated by salt-induced increases in vascular resistance with reductions in cardiac output. Hypertension. 2023; May;80(5):1077-1091. doi: 0.1161/HYPERTENSIONAHA.123.20953
Awards
  • President, The American Society of Hypertension 2000-2002
  • American Heart Association Novartis Award for Hypertension Research
  • International Okamoto Award for Basic Research in Vascular Diseases
Additional Information