Risk of Stroke Higher in Older Adults with Salty Diets

A study conducted over ten years and recently published in the journal Stroke reinforces the belief that high salt intake is a risk factor for stroke. Researchers interviewed almost 2,700 New Yorkers with an average age of 69, looking at their health and lifestyle, in addition to dietary questionnaires the participants completed.

The American Heart Association (AHA) suggests that sodium intake be limited to no more than 1,500 milligrams a day. People that consume high levels of salt generally have increased blood pressure, which is a risk factor for stroke

The study found that those who consumed higher than recommended levels of sodium were almost three times more likely to suffer a stroke during the ten year study period than those whose sodium intake was within the suggested range.

Researchers also noticed that of the study participants, who were mostly black and Hispanic, many consumed much more salt than recommended. Of the 558 people that consumed 4,000 milligrams of sodium or more per day, 66 experienced a stroke over the duration of the study. Among the 320 that consumed 1,500 milligrams or less a day, only 24 experienced a stroke.

Many people are unaware of how much salt they are actually consuming on a daily basis, so it is important to read nutrition information labels on food before eating to avoid foods with excessive sodium content. The majority of sodium consumed by adults in the U.S. does not come from adding salt to foods, but from the prepared foods themselves.

It is important for physicians to be aware of any stroke risk factors their patients may have, including high sodium consumption and high blood pressure. According to the American Stroke Association, more than 137,000 people die each year from strokes, making it the fourth leading cause of death.

If you or a loved one was seriously hurt or died as a result of a stroke that was untimely treated or misdiagnosed, call or email the medical malpractice attorneys at Silberstein, Awad & Miklos today for a free consultation. Our experienced attorneys have helped clients with Brooklyn stroke malpractice, Bronx stroke malpractice, Queens stroke malpractice, Manhattan stroke malpractice and Long Island stroke malpractice matters.

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