Impact of salt intake reduction on CVD mortality in Costa Rica: A scenario modelling study

Abstract

Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) represent the leading cause of death in Costa Rica and high blood pressure was associated with a mortality rate of 29% in 2018. The average household sodium intake in the country is also two times higher than the World Health Organization recommendation. The objective of this study was to estimate the impact of reducing salt intake on CVD mortality in Costa Rica using a scenario simulation model. The Preventable Risk Integrated ModEl (PRIME) was used to estimate the number of deaths that would be averted or delayed in the Costa Rican population by following the national and the international guidelines to reduce salt consumption, according to two scenarios: A) 46% reduction and B) 15% reduction, both at an energy intake of 2171 kcal. The scenarios estimated that between 4% and 13%, respectively, of deaths due to CVD would be prevented or postponed. The highest percentages of deaths prevented or postponed by type of CVD would be related to Coronary heart disease (39% and 38%, respectively), Hypertensive disease (32% and 33%, respectively), and Stroke (22% in both). The results demonstrate that reducing salt consumption could prevent or postpone an important number of deaths in Costa Rica. More support for existing policies and programs urges.

A Program Evaluation of a Dietary Sodium Reduction Research Consortium of Five Low- and Middle-Income Countries in Latin America

“…Researchers from Costa Rica and Brazil both received face-to-face training on the use of PRIME from the Université Laval, followed by two webinars. The findings from this research were published [ 46 , 47 , 48 , 49 ], and used to form strong arguments with policy decision makers on setting upper limits on sodium in food products. In addition to the data generated, the capacity built can be applied towards the creation of health and economic data related to other public health priorities.…”

Dietary Sodium and Potassium Intake: Data from the Mexican National Health and Nutrition Survey 2016

“…These findings indicate that the risk of suffering from hypertension or suffering from some complication is greater. Simulation studies carried out in Latin America have estimated that reducing sodium consumption as recommended by the WHO could reduce about 47,000 deaths from cardiovascular diseases, mainly from coronary, hypertensive, and cardiovascular disease, the equivalent of 85 million dollars in health care [72,73].…”

Projected impact of change in the percentage of energy from each NOVA group intake on cardiovascular disease mortality in Brazil: a modelling study

“…The economic losses in productivity attributable to excessive sodium intake have been estimated at more than 700 million dollars 30. In Costa Rica, based on the recommendations of the WHO and a National strategy for the comprehensive approach of non-communicable diseases and obesity, Vega-Solano et al simulated scenarios reducing the average salt intake of that country (9 g/day) by 46% and 15%, respectively 31. It was observed that, even in the modest reduction (15%), 5% of CVD deaths could be avoided, while in the ideal scenario (46%), 2.5 times more deaths could be avoided (13%).…”