Salt intake as a determinant of cardiac hypertrophy

Abstract

Sodium homeostasis profoundly influences the cardiovascular system in normotensive and hypertensive subjects and is related to cardiovascular morbidity and mortality independently of other cardiovascular risk factors, including hypertension. Left ventricular hypertrophy has a variety of negative effects on myocardial structure and function and is a risk factor per se. Dietary salt intake either estimated by daily sodium excretion or calculated by the food consumed throughout 24 h has been repeatedly found to be a strong and, in particular, blood pressure-independent predictor of left ventricular posterior wall thickness and left ventricular mass. Dietary salt intake participates in the hypertrophic process via mechanisms not yet clearly defined. Experimental data and results of the TOMHS study further suggest that salt restriction reduces the degree of left ventricular hypertrophy.