Salt Substitute Use Remains Low​ Despite Blood Pressure Benefits, Study Finds

Despite being a simple and possibly effective strategy for managing hypertension, salt substitutes ​are rarely used by Americans, new research reveals. Presented Thursday at an American Heart Association meeting ​in Baltimore, the study indicates that less than 6% of ​U.S. adults incorporate these alternatives into their diets.

Yinying Wei,a doctoral candidate in ‍applied clinical research and hypertension at UT Southwestern Medical ⁣Center in Dallas,explained that salt substitutes replace‍ some or all of the sodium with potassium,offering‌ a similar taste while potentially lowering blood pressure. A diet high in sodium causes the body to retain fluid, increasing ⁤blood pressure by expanding blood volume, according to the Cleveland Clinic.

researchers analyzed data from the National ⁤Health and Nutrition Examination Survey spanning 2003 to 2020,utilizing food questionnaires to assess salt substitute consumption. The analysis showed consistently low usage rates throughout the study period, peaking at just​ over 5% during the⁤ 2013-2014 survey.

Even among individuals who could benefit ‍most, usage remained minimal. Slightly more than 5% of those with ‍high blood pressure reported using salt substitutes. The highest reported usage was among those with ⁤ high blood pressure who were already taking medication for‌ it – nearly 11%‌ – and those ⁢with drug-resistant hypertension,at over 7%. However, less than 6% of individuals with untreated high blood pressure used these substitutes.

“Salt substitute use remained uncommon over the ​last‍ two decades including among people with‍ high blood⁣ pressure,” Wei stated. “Even among individuals with treated and poorly managed or untreated high blood pressure, most continued to use regular salt.”

Dr. Amit khera, clinical chief of cardiology and director of preventive​ cardiology at UT Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas, emphasized the missed opportunity.‍ “These results highlight ⁢an important and easy missed opportunity to improve blood pressure in the U.S. — the use of salt substitutes,” he said,​ adding that the lack of improvement over two decades underscores the need for both patients and healthcare professionals to discuss these alternatives, particularly ‍during blood pressure management appointments.

The ⁣American Heart Association recommends​ limiting sodium ​intake to no more than 2,300 milligrams⁤ daily, ideally aiming for less than 1,500 mg for most adults.Researchers note that reducing sodium intake by just 1,000 mg per day can substantially improve blood pressure and overall heart ​health.

ItS important to⁤ note that findings presented at medical meetings are considered preliminary until published in a peer-reviewed journal.

Double Lung Transplant Offers New Life for IPF Patient

A Second Chance After Facing Terminal Diagnosis

A routine pre-surgery X-ray revealed a hidden threat for Christopher Kennedy, leading to a life-altering diagnosis of Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF). This progressive lung disease, characterized by scar tissue hindering oxygen flow, carried a grim prognosis, but Kennedy embarked on a journey toward a life-saving double-lung transplant.

Unexpected Diagnosis, Grim Outlook

At 68, Kennedy, a retired Air Force technician, was active and healthy, with no prior symptoms. The discovery of lung scarring during a pre-operative scan led to an IPF diagnosis from a pulmonologist. This condition, with no known cause, leads to scarring that impedes oxygen absorption and carries a “high mortality rate,” according to the American Lung Association. Initially optimistic, Kennedy soon faced the reality that medications were failing, and he required increasing amounts of oxygen just for daily activities.

By 2024, Cleveland Clinic pulmonologist Dr. Aman Pande delivered the stark news: Kennedy had less than a year to live.

The Long Wait for a Life-Saving Gift

Facing a terminal prognosis, Kennedy was presented with a potential lifeline: a double-lung transplant. Despite being older than typical candidates and initially hesitant due to his brother’s adverse experience with the procedure, Kennedy ultimately agreed to pursue eligibility. The rigorous evaluation process at Cleveland Clinic cleared him for the national transplant waiting list.

As months passed, Kennedy‘s condition worsened, necessitating a significant increase in oxygen support and leading to substantial weight loss. Admitted to the hospital in October 2024, the stark reality of his situation was articulated by transplant pulmonologist Dr. Jason Turkowski:

“OK, we’re going to admit you and you come out one of two ways: With a set of lungs, or we’re going to carry you out.”

—Christopher Kennedy

A New Breath, A New Perspective

After a month in the hospital, including two false alarms, Kennedy received his life-changing double-lung transplant on November 15th. The immediate post-surgery period showed a marked improvement in his lung capacity. Despite facing complications like an infection and a stroke, his resilience, dubbed an “indomitable spirit” by his care team, facilitated his recovery.

Now 75, Kennedy‘s lung function has reached an impressive 98%, allowing him to reconnect with his family and pursue his passion for training Bernese Mountain dogs as hospital therapy animals. The experience has profoundly shifted his outlook on life.

“There’s a lot of things that are different in my life. It gives you great perspective and proportion of life, of what’s important and what isn’t. You take every breath for granted, because, you know, why would you not? But as soon as they become compromised, you’re reminded every breath matters. It keeps you centered.”

—Christopher Kennedy

Approximately 100,000 people in the United States are living with IPF, according to the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation (Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation). Kennedy‘s story highlights the critical role of organ transplantation and the enduring strength of the human spirit in the face of formidable health challenges.

Unrelenting Grief: A Silent Killer? New Study Reveals Shocking Link to Early Death

New research published in Frontiers in Public Health has uncovered a startling correlation: individuals experiencing intense and persistent grief after losing a loved one are nearly twice as likely to die within a decade of their loss.

The groundbreaking study,conducted by researchers at Aarhus University in Denmark,followed over 1,700 bereaved individuals for ten years. The findings indicate that those whose grief remained high in the initial years following a loss faced an 88% increased risk of premature death. Beyond mortality, these individuals were also significantly more likely to seek mental health support, with nearly three times the odds of receiving talk therapy, over five times the likelihood of being prescribed antidepressants, and more than double the chance of receiving sedatives or anxiety medication.”This is the first study to investigate the long-term use of health care and patterns of mortality over a decade after bereavement in a large-scale cohort,” stated lead researcher Mette Kjaergaard Nielsen, a postdoctoral researcher at the Research Unit for General practice in Aarhus, Denmark.

The study’s participants, with an average age of 62, had experienced the loss of a partner (66%), a parent (27%), or another loved one (7%). Researchers assessed their grief levels during the first three years post-loss, categorizing individuals into groups with persistently high grief, persistently low grief, or grief that initially peaked and then subsided.

While the exact mechanisms linking prolonged grief to increased mortality remain under inquiry, Nielsen noted previous findings that connect high grief symptom levels with higher rates of cardiovascular disease, mental health issues, and even suicide. “but the association with mortality should be further investigated,” she emphasized.

Intriguingly, the study suggests that healthcare providers might be able to identify individuals at risk for prolonged and debilitating grief. These individuals were more likely to have received prescriptions for psychiatric conditions even before their bereavement.”The ‘high grief’ group had lower education on average, and their more frequent use of medication before bereavement suggested that they had signs of mental vulnerability, which may cause greater distress following the death of a loved one,” Nielsen explained.

This insight offers a crucial opportunity for proactive care. Nielsen suggests that doctors can screen for prior signs of depression or other severe mental health conditions. By identifying these vulnerabilities, healthcare professionals can offer tailored follow-up care within general practice or refer patients to psychologists or secondary care services. A dedicated bereavement follow-up appointment focusing on mental health could also be beneficial.The Cleveland Clinic offers further details on the concept of “broken heart syndrome” and its emotional implications.

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