Sodium Intake: The Less, the Better

A retrospective analysis of urinary sodium excretion in a prehypertensive cohort shows a linear association with cardiovascular events.

Sodium intake is directly related to the development of high blood pressure. However, whether lower sodium intake reduces risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD) is not clear. Furthermore, recent studies have raised the possibility that low sodium intake — less than about 2000 mg/day — may have adverse cardiovascular effects (NEJM JW Gen Med Dec 13 2011). To find out more, investigators assessed sodium excretion averaged from multiple 24-hour urine specimens in 2275 prehypertensive participants in phases I and II of the Trials of Hypertension Prevention (TOHP) who were not assigned to a sodium-reduction intervention.

During 5-year follow-up, 193 CVD events occurred. Median sodium excretion was 3630 mg/day overall, <2300 mg/day in 10% of the pa…

Reviewing Author

JoAnne M. Foody, MD

Disclosures

Consultant / Advisory boardAegerion; Amarin; Bristol-Myers Squibb; Janssen; Merck; Pfizer; Sanofi-Aventis; Boehringer Ingelheim

Leadership positions in professional societiesAmerican College of Cardiology, Cardiosmart (Co-chair)

JoAnne M. Foody, MD

Disclosures

Consultant / Advisory boardAegerion; Amarin; Bristol-Myers Squibb; Janssen; Merck; Pfizer; Sanofi-Aventis; Boehringer Ingelheim

Leadership positions in professional societiesAmerican College of Cardiology, Cardiosmart (Co-chair)

Sodium Intake: The Less, the Better

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Reviewing Author