Sodium Linked to Adverse Cardiac Function

A study revealed that estimated sodium intake (ESI) >3.7 g/day is associated with adverse cardiac remodeling and function. The study performed speckle-tracking analysis on echocardiograms with available urinary sodium data (N = 2,996). Mean age of participants was 49 ± 14 years, 57% were female, 50% were African American, and 54% had hypertension. The median ESI was 3.73 g/day. ESI >3.7 g/day was associated with larger left atrial and left ventricular dimensions. ESI >3.7 g/day was also associated with left ventricular longitudinal strain (LS), circumferential strain and e′ velocity. There were significant interactions by potassium excretion for circumferential strain. Mediation analysis suggested that systolic blood pressure explained 14% and 20% of the indirect effects between ESI and LS and e′ velocity, respectively, whereas serum aldosterone explained 19% of the indirect effects between ESI and LS. The findings support that individuals at risk of myocardial dysfunction reduce salt intake. Source: http://www.onlinejacc.org/