The use of potassium supplements in salt has shown promising results in reducing the rates of recurrent stroke and mortality, according to a recent large-scale clinical trial conducted in rural northern China. The study, which was a subgroup analysis within the Salt Substitute and Stroke Study (SSaSS), focused on patients who had previously suffered from a stroke.
Stroke is a leading cause of death and disability in low- and middle-income countries, with recurrent events posing a significant risk. High sodium intake and low potassium intake are known risk factors, particularly in northern China where stroke recurrence rates are higher than global averages.
The SSaSS trial involved 600 villages and almost 21,000 individuals in rural China. Participants had their regular salt replaced with a substitute containing 75% salt and 25% potassium chloride. The recent study, published in JAMA Cardiology, analyzed data from 15,249 participants who had reported a history of stroke.
The researchers monitored various outcomes such as blood pressure, stroke recurrence, mortality, and safety measures including the risk of hyperkalemia. They also tracked urinary sodium/potassium excretion over the study period. The results showed a 14% lower rate of recurrent stroke in the group using the potassium substitute compared to the regular salt group.
Mean systolic blood pressure was also lower in the salt substitute group, with a total of 2,735 recurrent stroke events recorded during the study. Hemorrhagic stroke showed a 30% relative reduction, and stroke-related deaths decreased by 21%. Importantly, there was no significant difference in the risk of hyperkalemia between the two groups.
These findings suggest that reducing salt intake and increasing potassium through a low-cost dietary intervention can effectively reduce stroke recurrence and mortality among stroke survivors. The researchers recommend broader implementation of salt substitutes, especially in regions with high sodium intake and limited access to preventive healthcare.
In conclusion, the use of potassium-enriched salt presents a promising strategy for reducing the risk of recurrent stroke. Further research and implementation of this dietary intervention could have significant public health implications, particularly in areas with high stroke incidence. The study highlights the importance of addressing dietary factors in stroke prevention and management.
