Benefits of Potassium Substitution for Public Health

Hypertension is the single most important and modifiable risk factor for cardiovascular morbidity and mortality worldwide. Non-pharmacologic interventions — in particular dietary modifications — have been established to decrease blood pressure and hypertension-related adverse cardiovascular events. Among those dietary modifications, sodium intake restriction dominates guidelines from professional organizations and has garnered the greatest attention from the mainstream media. Despite guidelines and health campaigns, dietary sodium intake globally has not noticeably changed over recent decades.

Meanwhile, increasing dietary potassium intake has remained on the sidelines, despite its having similar blood pressure-lowering effects. New research reveals a potential mechanism of action, with the elucidation of its effect on natriuresis via the potassium switch effect. Additionally, potassium substituted salt has been shown to not only reduce blood pressure, but also reduce the risk for stroke and cardiovascular mortality. Speakers will discuss these data and a shift from a sodium-focused to a sodium- and potassium-focused approach to dietary modification with an emphasis on intervention strategies which can easily be implemented into clinical practice.