From the Guidelines
Salt does not help lower blood pressure, and in fact, reducing salt intake is recommended to lower blood pressure. The American College of Cardiology and American Heart Association task force on practice guidelines advises adults who would benefit from blood pressure lowering to lower sodium intake 1. This recommendation is based on strong and consistent clinical trial evidence that reducing sodium intake lowers blood pressure, demonstrated in adults with hypertension and prehypertension, regardless of age, sex, or ethnicity.
Key Points to Consider
- The effect of reducing sodium intake on blood pressure is independent of changes in weight, and the magnitude of effect is sufficient to prevent progression from prehypertension to hypertension and to promote nonpharmacological blood pressure control in those with hypertension 1.
- Observational data also suggest that lower sodium intake is associated with lower risk of cardiovascular events in people with and without hypertension, which is hypothesized to occur through reductions in blood pressure 1.
- The typical recommendation is to limit sodium intake to less than 2,300 mg per day, with an ideal target of 1,500 mg per day for most adults, especially those with hypertension.
- Lifestyle modifications, such as adopting the DASH diet, regular physical activity, maintaining a healthy weight, limiting alcohol consumption, and avoiding tobacco, can also help lower blood pressure.
- Medications, such as diuretics, ACE inhibitors, ARBs, calcium channel blockers, and beta-blockers, may be prescribed by healthcare providers when lifestyle changes aren't sufficient.
From the Research
Salt Intake and Blood Pressure
- The relationship between salt intake and blood pressure is complex, and research suggests that excessive salt consumption can lead to increased blood pressure 2, 3, 4.
- However, some studies suggest that moderate salt intake, defined as 3-5 g/day, may not be associated with increased cardiovascular risk 5, 6.
- Reducing salt intake to less than 5 g/day may be beneficial for populations with high average sodium intake 5, 6, 4.
Effects of Salt Reduction on Blood Pressure
- Reducing salt intake has been shown to lower blood pressure in some individuals, particularly those who are sensitive to salt, such as the elderly, African Americans, and obese patients 2.
- A reduction in salt intake of 4-8 mm Hg in systolic blood pressure can be achieved, depending on the baseline blood pressure and degree of salt intake reduction 2.
- Combining salt reduction with other lifestyle interventions, such as the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension, can lead to greater decreases in blood pressure 2.
Clinical Outcomes and Salt Intake
- There is evidence to suggest that reducing salt intake can lower the risk of cardiovascular disease, particularly when combined with other lifestyle interventions 2, 3, 4.
- A study found that reducing salt intake by 25% lowered the risk of cardiovascular disease among non-hypertensive participants 3.
- Reducing salt intake is considered one of the most cost-effective measures to improve public health worldwide 4.