Reducing Sodium Can Eliminate 11 Million Cases of High Blood Pressure

In one of the first study’s to estimate the economic benefits of lowering sodium consumption among the American public, it was estimated that reducing average intake of sodium to the amount recommended by health officials could save the nation as much as $18 billion annually in avoided health care costs.

The study estimates that meeting national sodium guidelines could eliminate 11 million cases of high blood pressure annually and improve the quality of life for millions of people. The monetary value of the improved quality of life would be an estimated $32 billion annually.

"This study provides an important first step toward quantifying the benefits of reducing the intake of sodium by the American public," said Kartika Palar, the study's lead. "These findings make a strong case that there's value in pursuing a population-based approach to reducing sodium intake among Americans."

Excessive consumption of sodium is a persistent health problem in the United States and elsewhere, causing increased rates of high blood pressure and related illnesses such as cardiovascular diseases. The Institute of Medicine recommends that adults consume no more than 2,300 milligrams of sodium each day, with lower amounts recommended for the groups that are at higher risk: older adults, black patients and those with high blood pressure,

The study was conducted by the RAND Corporation, a nonprofit research organization providing objective analysis and effective solutions that address the challenges facing the public and private sectors around the world.

Researchers from RAND Health analyzed information about Americans' blood pressure levels, use of antihypertensive medications and sodium intake from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, a federal study that routinely assesses the health and nutritional status of adults and children in the United States. The study is unique in that it combines interviews and physical examinations.

Palar and study co-author Roland Sturm, using a cross-sectional simulation model, calculated that lowering sodium intake would trim a sizable portion of the $55 billion spent nationally each year to treat high blood pressure. About half of the $18 billion in annual health care cost savings would accrue to public sector health spending. Researchers say their estimates are conservative because they were not able to calculate the savings for illnesses such as cardiovascular diseases where sodium consumption plays a less-defined role.

In addition, researchers estimated that meeting sodium consumption guidelines would save in one year 312,000 quality adjusted life years, a research measurement that adjusts increased longevity for the relative healthiness experienced during additional years of life.

"Our results are driven by the fact that nearly 30 percent of the nation's population has hypertension," Palar said. "One of the reasons that hypertension is so pervasive is that sodium consumption is so high."

Researchers say that better strategies for lowering sodium intake broadly across the nation's population still need to be developed. Studies estimate that more than 75 percent of Americans dietary sodium intake comes from processed foods rather than from salt added during cooking at home or at the dining table. Restaurant food also is generally high in sodium.

Population-based strategies that have been discussed include redesigning food labeling information to better highlight sodium levels, having manufacturers voluntarily lower sodium levels and adopting regulations that would require food processors to lower sodium.

Related Articles

Web Based Tool Could Help Predict Risk of Stroke Recurrence

Scientists have developed a new web-based tool that may better predict whether a person will suffer a second stroke within 90 days of a first stroke. "This

Patient Receives Cardiac Stem Cells in Clinical Trial

Doctors at the Cedars-Sinai Heart Institute have announced the completion of the first procedure in which a patient’s own heart tissue was used to grow

Poor Immune System and Low Levels of Antibodies Linked to Stroke

A study shows that the chances of suffering a stroke are linked to the presence of a certain type of antibody in the immune system.

Vitamin D Deficiency Triples Risk of High Blood Pressure in Women

According to research presented at the High Blood Pressure Research Conference, Vitamin D deficiency in premenopausal women could increase the risk of

Polyunsaturated Fat Instead of Saturated Fat for Better Heart Health

Although for nearly 60 years people have been urged to decrease their consumption of saturated fats to prevent heart disease, until now there has been

References:
1. Kartika Palar, et al. Potential Societal Savings From Reduced Sodium Consumption in the U.S. Adult Population. American Journal of Health Promotion, Sept/Oct 2009, V24, I1, 49.