Credits: 0.25 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™

CME/CE Information and Claim Credit: https://www.pri-med.com/online-education/podcast/frankly-speaking-cme-250

Overview: While the data conflict on how much sodium intake is optimal for preventing cardiovascular disease, it is clear that daily salt intake for most Americans exceeds what is recommended. However, restricting salt intake on an individual or on a public health level has been controversial. An interesting alternative is the use of salt substitutes, which can help to decrease sodium intake while increasing potassium intake, and both have been associated with lowering blood pressure. Join us to hear a discussion on the results of the recently published studies on salt and cardiovascular disease, along with an overview of the Salt Substitute and Stroke Study (SSaSS).

Episode resource links:

• Neal B, Wu Y, Feng X, et al. Effect of salt substitution on cardiovascular events and death. N Engl J Med. DOI: 10.1056/NEJMoa2105675
• O’Donnell M, Mente A, Alderman MH, et al. Salt and cardiovascular disease: insufficient evidence to recommend low sodium intake, European Heart Journal, Volume 41, Issue 35, 14 September 2020, Pages 3363–3373, https://doi.org/10.1093/eurheartj/ehaa586
• Circulation. 2021;143:1542–1567. DOI: 10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.120.050371

Guest: Robert A. Baldor MD, FAAFP

Music Credit: Richard Onorato