Most Americans consume more sodium than recommended, often without realizing it. New research suggests that gap may have measurable consequences for heart health.
A study published in Journal of the American College of Cardiology: Advances found that higher sodium intake was associated with an increased risk of developing heart failure among more than 25,000 adults in the United States. Participants consumed an average of about 4,200 milligrams of sodium per day, well above the recommended limit of 2,300 milligrams.
Researchers found that this level of intake was associated with a 15% higher risk of new-onset heart failure, even after accounting for factors such as overall diet quality, calorie intake and existing health conditions including high blood pressure and elevated blood lipids.
The study drew on data from the Southern Community Cohort Study, a long-running research project that has tracked the health of predominantly Black and low-income adults across 12 southeastern states since 2001. The findings highlight both dietary patterns and broader structural factors that influence them.
“Even modest reductions in sodium consumption may significantly reduce the burden of heart failure in this high-risk population,” the researchers wrote.
The results suggest that reducing sodium intake could have meaningful public health impact. Researchers estimated that lowering average daily intake to 4,000 milligrams or less could reduce heart failure cases by about 6.6% over 10 years, potentially lowering both mortality and health care costs.
At the same time, the study underscores that reducing sodium intake is not always straightforward. Access to lower-sodium foods can be limited in some communities, particularly where grocery options are constrained or transportation is a barrier.
“Multilevel, public health strategies may be required to address grocery store availability and limited transportation options that make it difficult for residents of many low-income, high-risk communities to access healthier food options,” said Dr. Deepak Gupta, corresponding author of the study and associate professor of medicine at Vanderbilt University Medical Center.
Heart failure is a major public health concern in the United States, contributing to an estimated 425,000 deaths each year. Researchers note that while sodium is one factor among many, dietary patterns remain an important and potentially modifiable risk factor.
Because the study was observational, it cannot prove that sodium directly causes heart failure. However, the findings add to a growing body of evidence linking higher sodium intake with increased cardiovascular risk.
The Southern Community Cohort Study is supported by the National Cancer Institute, with additional funding from the National Institutes of Health.