Effect of Salt Substitution on Cardiovascular Events and Death

This open-label, cluster-randomized trial in rural China investigated the effects of a salt substitute (75% sodium chloride, 25% potassium chloride) versus regular salt (100% sodium chloride) on cardiovascular outcomes in high-risk individuals (history of stroke or age ≥60 with hypertension). The primary outcome was stroke, with secondary outcomes including major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) and death. Results showed significant reductions in stroke (29.14 vs. 33.65 events per 1000 person-years; rate ratio [RR] 0.86; 95% CI, 0.77–0.96), MACE (49.09 vs. 56.29; RR 0.87; 95% CI, 0.80–0.94), and death (39.28 vs. 44.61; RR 0.88; 95% CI, 0.82–0.95) with the salt substitute, without increased hyperkalemia risk (3.35 vs. 3.30 events; RR 1.04; 95% CI, 0.80–1.37).

This open-label, cluster-randomized trial in rural China investigated the effects of a salt substitute (75% sodium chloride, 25% potassium chloride) versus regular salt (100% sodium chloride) on cardiovascular outcomes in high-risk individuals (history of stroke or age ≥60 with hypertension). The primary outcome was stroke, with secondary outcomes including major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) and death. Results showed significant reductions in stroke (29.14 vs. 33.65 events per 1000 person-years; rate ratio [RR] 0.86; 95% CI, 0.77–0.96), MACE (49.09 vs. 56.29; RR 0.87; 95% CI, 0.80–0.94), and death (39.28 vs. 44.61; RR 0.88; 95% CI, 0.82–0.95) with the salt substitute, without increased hyperkalemia risk (3.35 vs. 3.30 events; RR 1.04; 95% CI, 0.80–1.37).