A team of researchers at Vanderbilt University has identified a direct link between high salt (sodium) intake and heart failure, particularly among individuals already at elevated risk.
Published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology: Advances, the study analyzed over 25,300 participants from the southeastern United States, largely composed of Black and low-income individuals—groups generally more susceptible to heart disease.
The findings showed that participants consumed nearly twice the recommended daily sodium, averaging 4,269 milligrams per day compared with the 2,300-milligram limit advised by the American Heart Association and U.S. federal guidelines. This excessive intake was associated with a 15% higher risk of developing new heart disease.
Researchers highlighted that even modest reductions in salt consumption could significantly lower heart disease risk in high-risk populations. Additionally, the study found that roughly 80% of participants exceeded recommended sodium levels, and every extra 1,000 milligrams of sodium consumed daily was linked to an 8% increase in the risk of first-time heart failure.
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