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Are low-sodium diets appropriate for treated hypertensive men?
1Jean Mayer Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging, Tufts University, Boston, MA 02111, USA.
Nutrition Reviews
|October 1, 1995
Summary
A study on hypertension found that men with the lowest sodium excretion had the highest risk of heart attack, challenging the benefits of severe sodium restriction for hypertensive individuals.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Nephrology
- Nutritional Science
Background:
- Low-sodium diets are standard for hypertension management.
- The relationship between sodium intake and cardiovascular outcomes in treated hypertension requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the association between sodium intake, 24-hour urinary sodium excretion, and cardiovascular disease incidence in treated hypertensive patients.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of sodium intake and 24-hour urinary sodium excretion in men and women with hypertension.
- Assessment of subsequent cardiovascular disease events, including myocardial infarction.
Main Results:
- Contrary to expectations, the lowest urinary sodium excretion was associated with the highest incidence of myocardial infarction in men.
- Concerns regarding the study population and measurement methods were noted.
Conclusions:
- The findings challenge the established notion that severe dietary sodium restriction is universally beneficial for all hypertensive individuals.
- Future research is needed to corroborate these results and potentially revise clinical recommendations for sodium intake in hypertension management.