Project description
Optimal sodium intake to mitigate the risk of cardiovascular disease
Hypertension, a leading risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD) worldwide, is influenced by sodium (salt) intake. However, the optimal level of sodium intake associated with the lowest CVD risk remains uncertain, and it is unclear whether different populations and individuals have varying optimal levels. To shed light on these questions, the EU-funded COSIP project has been initiated. The project will determine whether sustained (long-term) low sodium intake is associated with beneficial effects on established and novel cardiovascular biomarkers and whether the association between sodium intake and CVD varies by ethnicity, sex, age, and other dietary factors. The project will quantify the population-attributable fraction of excess sodium intake and determine whether sodium intake is associated with other vascular-related clinical conditions.
Objective
Hypertension is a leading risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD) globally, accounting for 25-35% of the population-attributable fraction. Sodium (salt) intake is a key determinant of blood pressure, and reducing sodium intake has emerged as an important target for population-based interventions to prevent CVD. However, there is considerable uncertainty about the optimal level of sodium (salt) intake that is associated with lowest CVD risk, and whether optimal levels differ for different populations and individuals. In this proposal, we will answer key fundamental research questions about the association of sodium intake with blood pressure and CVD risk. Our research challenges current guideline recommendations of low-sodium intake for all populations. Specifically, we will: a) determine whether sustained (long-term) low sodium intake is associated with beneficial (or adverse) effects on established and novel CV biomarkers. b) explore whether inter-daily ‘pattern’ of sodium intake is an important determinant of 24-hour blood pressure pattern; c) determine whether the association between sodium intake and CVD varies by ethnicity, sex, age, other dietary factors (e.g. potassium intake), or other factors in 2 large international epidemiologic studies (PURE and INTERSTROKE; n>125,000 individuals). d) quantify the population-attributable fraction of excess sodium intake on global burden of CVD (stroke, myocardial infarction, heart failure and CV death), and model the potential impact of various population-based approaches to reducing sodium intake; e) determine whether sodium intake is associated with other vascular-related clinical conditions, namely including atrial fibrillation, cognitive impairment and falls (providing novel information); f) determine whether genetic variants associated with ‘salt sensitivity’ and hypertension are association with blood pressure and stroke, and whether these associations are modified by sodium intake.
Fields of science
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Funding Scheme
ERC-STG - Starting GrantHost institution
H91 Galway
Ireland