Current opinion in nephrology and hypertension
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Curr. Opin. Nephrol. Hypertens. · May 2008
ReviewSalt intake, blood pressure and clinical outcomes.
Salt intake has long been known to influence blood pressure among hypertensive patients, but its effect among those without overt hypertension, as well as its effects on cardiovascular disease itself, have been disputed. This report reviews the evidence for an effect on both blood pressure and cardiovascular disease, particularly among normotensive participants, including recent data from randomized trials. ⋯ Average sodium consumption in the US population is excessively high, and well above recommended limits. Because most sodium derives from processed and restaurant foods, a reduction of sodium in these sources, as recently called for by the American Medical Association, is necessary to reduce exposure.