Reduction in dietary sodium improves blood pressure and reduces cardiovascular events and mortality

Long-term consumption of a high dietary salt intake increases the risk for hypertension with an increase in cardiovascular and renal disease and mortality (1). Modest reductions in dietary salt intake reduce blood pressure in many persons with hypertension (2-4). High dietary sodium intake may cause hypertension by renal dysfunction with abnormal increased renal retention of sodium (5) or by vasodysfunction that involves renal vasodysfunction (6). The American Heart Association recommends lowering dietary sodium intake to less than 1,500 mg daily (3).