Hormonal
In high-risk patients with established cardiovascular disease or diabetes, estimated sodium excretion between 4 and 5.99 g/day is associated with the lowest risk of cardiovascular events, while both higher (>7 g/day) and lower (<3 g/day) sodium excretion are associated with increased risk of cardiovascular death and other cardiovascular events.
If you have heart disease or high-risk diabetes, aiming for a sodium intake of approximately 4 to 6 grams per day (roughly 10-15 grams of salt) is associated with the lowest risk of heart attacks, strokes, and death. Drastically restricting sodium to very low levels (under 3 grams/day) may actually increase your risk of heart failure and death, while very high intake (over 7 grams/day) also increases risk. Focus on maintaining a moderate intake rather than extreme restriction.
Compared with baseline sodium excretion of 4 to 5.99 g per day, sodium excretion of greater than 7 g per day was associated with an increased risk of all CV events, and a sodium excretion of less than 3 g per day was associated with increased risk of CV mortality and hospitalization for CHF.
Why this rating
Large observational cohort (N=28,880) with long follow-up (median 56 months) and rigorous adjustment for confounders, but relies on estimated urinary excretion rather than direct controlled feeding.
Source
Urinary Sodium and Potassium Excretion and Risk of Cardiovascular Events
Martin O’Donnell et al. · JAMA · 2011
DOI 10.1001/jama.2011.1729
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