Less is more: Salt consumption and Conn's syndrome

Vascular damage can multiply if large amounts of table salt are consumed in cases like hyperaldosteronism. But what happens if salt is restricted?

Salt consumption in Conn's syndrome

41 subjects with primary hyperaldosteronism took part in the study.
All participants were taking stable antihypertensive therapy.
Daily salt consumption was reduced from 9 g to 5 g per day.
After 12 weeks, blood pressure values and depressive symptoms were significantly improved and there was significant weight loss.
Participants were able to better assess their salt consumption with the help of the app.

Cooking salt: the white gold?

Most people in the western world consume too much table salt, and don't even realise it. For people with cardiovascular or hypertensive diseases in particular, however, this can be dangerous and could significantly increase the risk of complications or exacerbations. This also applies to patients with primary hyperaldosteronism. The formerly known as "white gold" is therefore rather contraindicated in such cases.

Study design: reducing salt and informing patients

A recent study has investigated the actual effects of reducing table salt on people with Conn's syndrome. To this end, 41 patients with primary hyperaldosteronism who were also taking stable blood pressure medication were recruited. Their salt consumption was reduced from 9 g to around 5 g per day. They documented how much salt they consumed in an app.

12 weeks of salt restriction: what for?

After 12 weeks, the results were analysed. Not only did those affected feel better informed than before the start of the study, thanks to the app. There were also significant improvements in physical symptoms:

Systolic and diastolic blood pressure was significantly reduced.
Participants lost an average of 1.4 kg of body weight.
Depressive symptoms disappeared.
Pulse pressure normalised.

Key issues for medical practice

The data impressively show the positive effects of slight salt restriction on the symptoms of primary hyperaldosteronism. To achieve this, however, it is necessary to inform patients accordingly and provide them with tools that make it easier for them to estimate how much salt they are consuming. If this is successful, however, salt reduction is an effective means of improving disease burden.

Source

Schneider H, Sarkis AL, Sturm L, Britz V, Lechner A, Potzel AL, Müller LM, Heinrich DA, Künzel H, Nowotny HF, Seiter TM, Kunz S, Bidlingmaier M, Reincke M, Adolf C. Moderate dietary salt restriction improves blood pressure and mental well-being in patients with primary aldosteronism: The salt CONNtrol trial. J Intern Med. 2023 Jul;294(1):47-57.