Sodium and cardiovascular disease: What the data show

Data relating Na to BP are convincing, and evidence from the best-quality cohort analyses and RCTs are consistent with a direct relationship between Na and CVD. Information from cohort studies less well suited to answering the question should be interpreted with great caution. These reports should not be used to undermine existing policies that call for a progressive reduction in Na from our current high levels of intake. Population-wide reduction in Na should remain an important component of efforts to promote cardiovascular health and prevent CVD in the United States.