The Silent Killer in your Pantry- How Sodium Overload Contributes to Cardiovascular Diseases

Background: Excessive sodium consumption, primarily from processed and canned foods, has been strongly implicated in the development of cardiovascular diseases, including coronary heart disease (CHD). This study aimed to investigate the association between sodium overload from canned foods and CHD prevalence while evaluating key risk factors such as hypertension, high cholesterol, and physical inactivity. Methods: A cohort study was conducted with 100 participants aged 30–70 years, divided into two groups: Group 1 (n = 50), consisting of individuals with CHD and regular canned food consumption, and Group 2 (n = 50), comprising healthy controls with no history of canned food consumption. Data were collected through structured interviews and medical record reviews. Sodium intake, BMI, hypertension, and other CHD risk factors were analyzed. Logistic regression and Pearson correlation analyses were performed to evaluate associations. Results: Sodium intake above 2000 mg/day was significantly associated with CHD (OR = 4.5, 95% CI: 2.1–9.6, p = 0.001). Group 1 exhibited higher rates of hypertension (70% vs. 30%, p = 0.001), high cholesterol (60% vs. 24%, p = 0.005), and physical inactivity (40% vs. 70%, p = 0.0001). A strong positive correlation between sodium intake and CHD diagnosis (r = 0.75) was observed, underscoring sodium's critical role in CHD development. Conclusion: High sodium intake from canned foods significantly contributes to CHD risk through its association with hypertension, high cholesterol, and physical inactivity. Public health efforts should prioritize sodium reduction strategies to mitigate CHD burden