To characterize the urinary exosome miRNome, microarrays were used to identify the miRNA spectrum present within urinary exosomes from ten individuals that were previously classified for their salt sensitivity status. The present application discloses distinct patterns of selected exosomal miRNA expression that were different between salt-sensitive (SS), salt-resistant (SR), and inverse salt-sensitive (ISS) individuals. These miRNAs can be useful as biomarkers either individually or as panels comprising multiple miRNAs. The present invention provides compositions and methods for identifying, diagnosing, monitoring, and treating subjects with salt sensitivity of blood pressure. The applications discloses panels of miRNAs useful for comparing profiles, and in some cases one or more of the miRNAs in a panel can be used. The miRNAs useful for distinguishing SS and SR or ISS and SR subjects. One or more of the 45 miRNAs can be used. Some of the miRNAs have not been previously reported to be circulating. See those miRNAs with asterisks in FIG. 1 and below. The present invention encompasses the use of one or more of these markers for identifying and diagnosing SR, SS, and ISS subjects.