World Heart Podcasts
Our podcast series unravel big and small ideas, developments, and breakthroughs in cardiology. From vital issues such as how to prevent cardiovascular disease, to the latest in treatment and care for the millions of people affected by it, we take our listeners on an exploratory journey. A journey towards stronger health systems and healthier hearts. The podcasts feature conversations with practitioners and authors of key publications and discoveries. From our heart to yours, thank you for letting us in.
World Heart Podcasts
Global Heart Podcast: Rethinking Salt: A New Path to Tackling Hypertension
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In this episode of the Global Heart Podcast, host Pablo Perel speaks with Prof. Bruce Neal about excess salt consumption, hypertension, and the growing evidence behind potassium-enriched salt substitutes as a practical strategy to reduce cardiovascular disease globally.
Prof. Neal explains why traditional salt reduction efforts have struggled, how potassium-enriched salt works, and what major studies — including the landmark Salt Substitute and Stroke Study (SSaSS) — reveal about its impact on blood pressure, stroke, cardiovascular events, and premature death.
Together, they discuss safety considerations, implementation challenges, affordability, global guideline recommendations, and why this approach may have particular potential in low- and middle-income countries.
Tune in to learn how rethinking salt could help transform hypertension prevention worldwide.
WHO Guideline on Lower-Sodium Salt Substitutes:
https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240105591
Read more about the Salt Substitute and Stroke Study (SSaSS):
https://www.acc.org/latest-in-cardiology/clinical-trials/2021/08/26/01/19/ssass
Further reading:
- World Heart Federation – Hypertension Resources
https://world-heart-federation.org/what-we-do/hypertension/ - European Hypertension Guidelines
https://academic.oup.com/eurheartj/article/45/38/3912/7741010