Plasma sodium concentration and the risk of cardiovascular disease

  • Research type

    Research Study

  • Full title

    Plasma sodium concentration and the risk of cardiovascular disease: a large community-based cohort study

  • IRAS ID

    190429

  • Contact name

    Nicholas I Cole

  • Contact email

    nicholas.cole@esth.nhs.uk

  • Sponsor organisation

    Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals NHS Trust

  • Duration of Study in the UK

    0 years, 4 months, 4 days

  • Research summary

    Reducing the amount of salt in our diet helps to lower blood pressure as well as the risk of cardiovascular disease, including heart disease and stroke. Why this is the case is not fully understood, but there is evidence that the concentration of sodium in our blood might be important. Previous studies have shown that eating more salt can lead to small increases in the blood sodium concentration, and that this can increase blood pressure and affect the function of blood vessels. These effects might increase the risk of cardiovascular disease but this has not been investigated before. Therefore, this study aims to be the first to find out whether people with higher blood sodium concentration have a higher risk of developing cardiovascular disease. It will do this by examining the electronic health records of patients from GP practices around the United Kingdom.

  • REC name

    London - Stanmore Research Ethics Committee

  • REC reference

    15/LO/1865

  • Date of REC Opinion

    19 Oct 2015

  • REC opinion

    Favourable Opinion