Podcast

Time to Recommend the Use of Salt Substitutes for CVD Prevention? - Frankly Speaking EP 250Guest: Robert A. Baldor, MD, FAAFP
Music Credit: Richard Onorato

While the data conflict on how much sodium intake is optimal for preventing cardiovascular disease, it is clear that daily salt intake for most Americans exceeds what is recommended. However, restricting salt intake on an individual or on a public health level has been controversial. An interesting alternative is the use of salt substitutes, which can help to decrease sodium intake while increasing potassium intake, and both have been associated with lowering blood pressure. Join us to hear a discussion on the results of the recently published studies on salt and cardiovascular disease, along with an overview of the Salt Substitute and Stroke Study (SSaSS).

Episode References and Resources:

• Neal B, Wu Y, Feng X, et al. Effect of salt substitution on cardiovascular events and death. N Engl J Med. DOI: 10.1056/NEJMoa2105675
  
• O’Donnell M, Mente A, Alderman MH, et al.  Salt and cardiovascular disease: insufficient evidence to recommend low sodium intake, European Heart Journal, Volume 41, Issue 35, 14 September 2020, Pages 3363–3373, https://doi.org/10.1093/eurheartj/ehaa586
  
• Circulation. 2021;143:1542–1567. DOI: 10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.120.050371