Salt substitutes aid in preserving healthy blood pressure levels in older individuals

According to a recent study published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology, substituting regular salt with a salt substitute can decrease hypertension rates in older adults without raising the risk of low blood pressure episodes. Users of salt substitutes experienced a 40% lower incidence of hypertension compared to those using regular salt.

Hypertension is the leading risk factor for cardiovascular disease and mortality, according to the World Health Organization. It affects over 1.4 billion adults and results in 10.8 million deaths per year worldwide. One of the most effective ways to reduce hypertension risk is to reduce sodium intake.

“Adults frequently fall into the trap of consuming excess salt through easily accessible and budget-friendly processed foods,” said Yangfeng Wu, MD, PhD, lead author of the study and Executive Director of Peking University Clinical Research Institute in Beijing, China. “It's crucial to recognize the impact of our dietary choices on heart health and increase the public’s awareness of lower-sodium options."

Researchers evaluated the impact of sodium reduction strategies on blood pressure in elderly adults residing in care facilities. While previous studies prove that reducing salt intake can prevent or delay new-onset hypertension, long-term salt reduction and avoidance can be challenging.

The DECIDE-Salt study involved 611 participants aged 55 and above from 48 care facilities, divided into two groups: one replacing regular salt with a substitute and the other continuing with regular salt. None of the participants had hypertension or used anti-hypertension medications initially. Over two years, those using the salt substitute had a hypertension incidence of 11.7 per 100 people-years, while those using regular salt had 24.3 per 100 people-years. Salt substitute users were 40% less likely to develop hypertension without experiencing hypotension, a common concern in older adults.

“Our results showcase an exciting breakthrough in maintaining blood pressure that offers a way for people to safeguard their health and minimize the potential for cardiovascular risks, all while being able to enjoy the perks of adding flavor to their favorite meals,” Wu said. “Considering its blood pressure – lowering effect, proven in previous studies, the salt substitute shows beneficial to all people, either hypertensive or normotensive, thus a desirable population strategy for prevention and control of hypertension and cardiovascular disease.”

Reference:https://www.acc.org/About-ACC/Press-Releases/2024/02/12/18/57/Salt-Substitutes-Help-to-Maintain-Healthy-Blood-Pressure-in-Older-Adults