Highlevels of dietary sodium (consumed as common salt, sodium chloride) are
associated with raised Blood Pressure (BP) and adverse cardiovascular health. Epidemiological studies and clinical trials provide compelling evidence
for a detrimental effect of sodium intake on BP among both hypertensive and
normotensive individuals. In addition to its’ effect on BP, excess dietary
sodium consumption has been associated directly with Coronary Heart Disease
(CHD) and stroke.
Despitethe wealth of evidence about the unfavorable effects of salt consumption on BP
and cardiovascular health, public health efforts to decrease sodium consumption
have been limited to few countries. Individuals are often unaware of
the detrimental effects of salt on health and the Eastern Mediterranean region
is not an exception where the majority of salt consumed is hidden in processed
foods.
Both
observational and experimental data support an independent and positive
relationship between sodium intake and blood pressure, most clearly among
hypertensive populations. Potassium intake, on the other hand, has been
inversely related to blood pressure. Hypertension is a strong predictor
of Cardiovascular Disease (CVD), especially stroke; inappropriate intake of
sodium and potassium is likely to be associated with increased cardiovascular
morbidity and mortality.
This
study aimed to measure24-hour urinary sodium and potassium excretion among
residents of Al-Jouf region, northern Saudi Arabia to estimate average intake
of sodium and potassium. As a result this research aims to generate
evidence-based public health interventions to reduce sodium intake and thereby
decrease the burden of cardiovascular diseases.
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