It is the leading cause of stroke and contributes to heart attack, heart failure, and kidney failure. Some Americans, such as older Americans and African Americans, are at a particularly high risk from high blood pressure. The latest hypertension guidelines were released in November 1997. One important aspect of hypertension prevention and management that has raised questions among scientists and in the media is the effect of sodium consumption on blood pressure. Sodium chloride, or table salt, increases average levels of blood pressure.
Some individuals have greater blood pressure responses to salt than others.
Various controlled intervention trials and observational studies have provided strong evidence that consuming a moderately reduced intake of sodium contributes to lowering blood pressure. As yet, science cannot distinguish between those whose blood pressures are and are not more responsive to sodium. Available evidence shows that a moderately reduced intake of dietary sodium causes no harm. Thus, a moderate salt intake is recommended for all Americans to help prevent and treat hypertension, especially in those who are responsive to sodium. Recently, more research findings have become available about the effects of dietary sodium and salt in those with and without high blood pressure.