Reduce Sodium Intake, Reduce Heart Disease

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Reduce Sodium Intake, Reduce Heart Disease

Dietary sodium reduction has been recommended to prevent high blood pressure and cardiovascular disease, based on numerous epidemiological studies. However, the independent association of caloric vs. sodium intake on cardiovascular disease in overweight and nonoverweight individuals has not been thoroughly investigated, a shortcoming that prompted this study.

As part of the First National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey Epidemiologic Follow-up Study, the authors estimated dietary sodium and energy intake at baseline in 2,688 overweight subjects (BMI 27.8 or higher for men, 27.3 or higher for women) and 6,797 nonoverweight subjects (BMI lower than 27.8 or 27.3, respectively). Incidence of (and/or death from) cardiovascular disease were assessed from medical records and death certificates over 19 years of followup.

In the study sample, sodium intake and total energy intake were strongly correlated. Among overweight subjects, a 100 mmol increase in sodium intake was associated with a 32% increase in stroke incidence; a 44% increase in death from coronary heart disease; a 61% increase in death from cardiovascular disease; and a 39% increase in death from all causes. Dietary sodium intake was not significantly associated with cardiovascular disease risk in nonoverweight subjects.

The authors note that these findings "support existing recommendations for moderate reduction in sodium intake aimed at reducing blood pressure and cardiovascular disease risk in the overweight adult population."

He J, Ogden LG, Vupputuri S, et al. Dietary sodium intake and subsequent risk of cardiovascular disease in overweight adults. Journal of the American Medical Association, December 1, 1999: 282(21), pp2027-2034.