The role of dietary salt and alcohol use reduction in the management of hypertension

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Despite the improved treatment protocol of hypertension, the magnitude of the disease and its related burden remains raised. Hypertension makes up the leading cause of stroke, kidney disease, arterial disease, eye disease, and cardiovascular disease (CVD) growth.

Areas covered: This review provides the overview of the role of dietary salt and alcohol use reduction in the management of hypertension, a brief history of alcohol, the vascular endothelium functions, the effects of alcohol use on blood pressure (BP), the mechanisms of alcohol, brief history of salt, the effects of dietary salt intake on BP, and the mechanisms of salt.

Expert opinion: Studies found that high dietary salt intake and heavy alcohol consumption have a major and huge impact on BP while both of them have been identified to increase BP. Also, they raise the risk of hypertension-related morbidity and mortality in advance. On the other way, the dietary salt and alcohol use reduction in the management of hypertension are significant in the control of BP and its related morbidity and mortality. Further, studies suggested that the dietary salt and alcohol use reductions are the cornerstone in the management of hypertension due to their significance as part of comprehensive lifestyle modifications.

KEYWORDS:

• Hypertension
• blood pressure
• alcohol
• salt
• sodium
• lifestyle change

Article highlights

• High dietary salt intake has a major and huge impact on blood pressure.

• Heavy alcohol consumption has a major and huge impact on blood pressure.

• The dietary salt and alcohol use reductions are the cornerstone in the management of hypertension.

• Special consideration is needed for the significance of reducing dietary salt intake and alcohol consumption in the management of hypertension and its related complications.

• Future studies should focus on the role of dietary salt and alcohol use reduction in the management of hypertension considering the unique patient characteristics.

Declaration of interest

The author has no relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript.

Reviewer disclosures

Peer reviewers on this manuscript have no relevant financial or other relationships to disclose. 

Additional information

Funding

This paper was not funded.