Eat your way to a healthy heart by reducing salt and increasing potassium

This study reviewed the effect of dietary intake of salt and potassium on blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, and mortality. 

Many studies have linked high dietary salt intake with high blood pressure and reduced cardiovascular (heart) health. Salt causes kidneys to hold onto more water, with the resulting extra water load in blood vessels increasing blood pressure. High blood pressure puts strain on kidneys, which may lead to kidney disease, and also on the heart and blood vessels which have to work harder to pump blood. High blood pressure can lead to several heart complications such as a heart attack, aneurysm (blood vessel bulges with blood and can rupture), heart failure, and stroke (blood clot or ruptured blood vessel in the brain).

However, studies have also shown that increasing potassium intake (found in foods such as bananas, sweet potato, and tomato puree) helps to balance out the negative effect of salt and reduce blood pressure.

This study carried out a detailed review of the literature investigating the effect of dietary salt and potassium on blood pressure, cardiovascular disease and mortality. 

This study carried out an online search of all trials that investigated the effect of high salt intake and/or increased potassium intake on blood pressure, organ damage (heart, kidney and brain), cardiovascular disease and mortality. From this search 52 studies were identified. Evidence from these studies demonstrate that a high salt intake not only increases blood pressure, but also plays a role in blood vessel dysfunction, albuminuria (a measurement of poor kidney function), kidney disease progression, and cardiovascular disease.

In comparison, dietary potassium balances out these effects and is associated with a reduction in stroke rates and cardiovascular disease risk. This study also noted that some populations, such as those who are overweight and the ageing adult, exhibit a greater sensitivity to the effects of reduced salt intake and may gain the most benefits. 

This study concludes that reducing salt and increasing potassium in the diet helps to control high blood pressure, and decrease cardiovascular disease and mortality. 

Patients with severe heart failure requiring high-dose diuretics and medication therapy will not benefit from salt restriction. Patients with advanced chronic kidney disease may be at risk of developing hyperkalemia (too much potassium in the body) should the daily intake of potassium increase to 4700 mg. 

Consult your doctor or dietician about ways you can reduce salt and increase potassium in your diet.