International Experts Call for Inclusion of Potassium-Enriched Salt in Hypertension Guidelines

An international panel of experts has called for the inclusion of low-sodium potassium-enriched salt in hypertension therapy guidelines, according to a suggestion published in the scientific journal Hypertension. The experts state that high levels of sodium intake and low levels of potassium intake are linked to high blood pressure, stroke, heart disease, and premature death. By using a salt substitute that replaces part of the sodium chloride with potassium chloride, both problems can be addressed simultaneously. However, the experts found that current clinical guidelines offer incomplete and inconsistent recommendations regarding the use of these salt substitutes. They urge the inclusion of salt substitutes in treatment guidelines to combat uncontrolled high blood pressure and reduce preventable deaths. The researchers reviewed 32 separate hypertension treatment guidelines, finding that most recommended reducing salt intake but only two specifically mentioned using potassium-enriched salt. It is emphasized that hypertension has doubled in the past 30 years, leading to over ten million deaths annually, with excess sodium consumption being a major contributing factor. The experts stress the need to prioritize low-sodium, potassium-enriched salts in the food environment and make them widely available and accessible. Concerns about elevated levels of potassium in the blood for people with advanced kidney disease have been raised, but the authors argue that these concerns apply to a small proportion of the population who are already advised to avoid salt intake. Furthermore, potassium-enriched salt is well-tolerated by patients and can serve as a long-term dietary intervention. The researchers call for clinical guideline bodies to review their recommendations and consider the use of potassium-enriched salt substitutes, as it could potentially prevent millions of strokes and heart attacks annually at a low cost.