Reduction in daily salt intake may reduce CV-related mortality, expenses

A reduction in daily salt intake of about 3 g would prevent more than 6,500 new cases of CVD and 3,300 related deaths in the general population of South Africa each year, according to a report presented at the World Congress of Cardiology Scientific Sessions.

In addition, that reduction would also lower out-of-pocket expenses by an estimated $4 million and government-subsidized health care expenses by about $51 million.

For the study, researchers developed a sample of 1 million adults in South Africa via survey data on sociodemographics, salt consumption and BP. The goal was to determine the impact of a 2.9 g to 3.3 g reduction in daily salt intake on age- and sex-specific incidence of and mortality from stroke, ischemic heart disease, HF and end-stage renal disease. The researchers also estimated annual out-of-pocket treatment costs related to CVD according to income, and the impact that salt intake reduction would have on these costs.

David Watkins

“In an era of rising health care costs, clinicians are increasingly aware of the financial impact of receiving or providing health care — both to individuals and to the health system,” David Watkins, MD, physician-researcher at University of Cape Town and University of Washington, told Cardiology Today. “This study demonstrates that a population-based approach to reducing CVD risk (through salt reduction) could protect households from ‘catastrophic’ or potentially impoverishing health care spending on CVD. At the same time, it could reduce public sector spending on salt-related CVD, freeing up resources to address other public health priorities.”

The 2.9 g to 3.3 g reduction was the estimated result of meeting a goal issued by the South African government to reduce daily salt intake per person to less than 5 g by 2020, according to the release.

The reduction in new CVD cases and related CVD deaths would occur predominantly in the three middle-income quintiles, according to the researchers.

For the economic analysis, the researchers determined that “catastrophic health expenditures,” defined as expenses equivalent to more than 10% of total household income, would be averted in 963 cases per year, predominantly in the upper-income quintiles. In addition, they estimated that 228 to 713 annual cases of poverty as a result of medical expenditures could also be avoided, according to Watkins.

“CVD prevention policies have a vital role to play in fostering economic development in South Africa, and these findings are likely applicable to many other countries,” Watkins said. “… In addition to an 11% yearly reduction in CVD mortality, the salt policy is likely to have significant economic impacts, including substantial reductions in out-of-pocket spending on CVD treatment, particularly among the middle class. The policy could also result in large government savings on health care.” – by Adam Taliercio

For more information:

Watkins D. Abstract #O117. Presented at: World Congress of Cardiology Scientific Sessions; May 4-7, 2014; Melbourne, Australia.

Disclosure: The researchers report no relevant financial disclosures.