Non-pressure-related deleterious effects of excessive dietary sodium

Abstract

After demonstration of a positive correlation between sodium intake and arterial pressure in large population studies, the effect of rather short-term reduction in sodium intake demonstrated the efficacy of this nonpharmacological therapy. In addition, a positive relationship between urinary sodium (the most reliable estimate of salt intake) and left ventricular mass was found in normotensive and hypertensive cohorts independent of blood pressure. In recent years, cardiovascular morbidity has been positively correlated with increasing sodium intake, despite one contradictory study. The role of nonpressure- related effects of dietary sodium is discussed to bring additional and convincing arguments to support a large-scale attempt to reduce sodium intake by 30-50%. © 2010 Springer-Verlag Milan.