Relationship Between Salt Intake and Cardiovascular Disease

Abstract

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a predominant global health issue, with dietary salt intake recognized as a crucial modifiable risk factor. This review elucidates the multifaceted relationship between salt consumption and CVD, exploring both its direct and indirect effects. While early research emphasized salt's influence on blood pressure, contemporary studies highlight the combined effects of dietary habits and genetic factors on CVD risk. The paper underscores the complex biological mechanisms linking high salt intake to CVD, including its impact on blood pressure, direct cardiovascular effects, immune responses, the role of prostanoids, epigenetic changes, and gut microbiome. Additionally, the review delves into the concept of salt sensitivity and its genetic underpinnings, emphasizing the heightened CVD risk in salt-sensitive individuals. The potential benefits and challenges of salt substitutes are also discussed. Drawing from various study designs, including epidemiological studies and randomized controlled trials, the review provides a comprehensive understanding of the detrimental effects of excessive salt intake on cardiovascular health, emphasizing the need for refined dietary guidelines and targeted interventions.