A research team from Vanderbilt University has found that excessive consumption of salt (sodium) can directly and independently lead to heart failure for the first time, particularly among individuals already at higher risk.
The study, published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology: Advances, included more than 25,300 participants from the southeastern United States.
The group largely consisted of Black and low-income individuals, who are generally at a higher risk of developing heart disease.
The findings revealed that participants were consuming nearly double the recommended amount of sodium on average. This high salt intake was associated with a 15% increased risk of developing new heart disease.
Researchers noted that even a slight reduction in salt consumption could significantly lower the burden of heart disease in high-risk populations.
According to the American Heart Association and U.S. federal guidelines, daily sodium intake should not exceed 2,300 milligrams. However, participants in the study were consuming an average of 4,269 milligrams per day—almost twice the recommended limit.
The study also found that nearly 80% of participants were exceeding the recommended daily sodium intake. Furthermore, each additional 1,000 milligrams of daily sodium intake was linked to an 8% increase in the risk of first-time heart failure.
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