Trends in the awareness of salt restriction and actual salt intake in hypertensive patients at a hypertension clinic and general clinic: A one-year follow-up study

The aim of the present study was to investigate trends in the awareness of salt restriction and actual salt intake in hypertensive patients at a hypertension clinic and general clinic following guidance regarding salt restriction. Subjects comprised 107 patients (mean age 71 ± 12 years) who were followed at a hypertension clinic and 164 patients (mean age 68 ± 11 years) who were followed at a general clinic. Estimated salt intake using spot urine samples and awareness of salt intake using a self-description questionnaire were assessed in 2013 and one year after guidance regarding salt restriction. No significant changes were observed in office blood pressure at the two clinics. Estimated salt intake in 2013 was slightly lower at the hypertension clinic than at the general clinic (8.9 ± 2.5 vs 9.3 ± 2.5 g/day). Estimated salt intake decreased and the awareness of salt intake improved significantly after one year at both clinics; however, the reduction in estimated salt intake was larger at the general clinic than that at the hypertension clinic (-1.6 ± 3.2 vs -0.6 ± 2.9 g/day, p < 0.01). Individual guidance including data on actual salt intake appeared to be effective and important for reducing salt intake in hypertensive patients.