Is complying with the recommendations of sodium intake beneficial for health in individuals at high cardiovascular risk? Findings from the PREDIMED study
Background: Excess sodium intake is associated with high blood pressure, a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD). It is unknown whether decreasing sodium intake to ,2300 mg/d has an effect on CVD or all-cause mortality. Objective: The objective was to assess whether reductions in sodium intake to ,2300 mg/d were associated with either an increased or a decreased risk of fatal and nonfatal CVD and all-cause mortality. Design: This observational prospective study of the PREvencicon DIeta MEDiterr� (PREDIMED) trial included 3982 participants at high CVD risk. Sodium intake was evaluated with a validated food- frequency questionnaire and categorized as low (,1500 mg/d), in- termedi…