What is the purpose of a sodium restriction?
Sodium restriction reduces blood pressure in people with severe hypertension, moderate hypertension and mild hypertension. It may be the cause of blood pressure increase associated with age and the reason for the higher prevalence of hypertension and vascular disease in Western communities.
Why is sodium restricted in cardiovascular condition?
A dietary sodium chloride intake of more than 6 g per day is associated with increased blood pressure and thus cardiovascular risk. Excessive dietary sodium chloride intake is not only associated with raised blood pressure and resultant organ damage but is also a risk factor independently of blood pressure.
Should sodium intake be restricted in chronic heart failure?
Dietary sodium restriction is arguably the most frequent self-care behavior recommended to patients with heart failure (HF)1,2 and is endorsed by all HF guidelines.
How does low sodium affect the heart?
Reduced dietary sodium intake (sodium reduction) increases heart rate in some studies of animals and humans. As heart rate is independently associated with the development of heart failure and increased risk of premature death a potential increase in heart rate could be a harmful side-effect of sodium reduction.