Table 1

Model input parameters and data sources

ParameterData source
Effect of salt reduction on systolic blood pressure:
 Based on randomised trialsDecrease in systolic blood pressure per 1 g/day salt reduction:

  • Normotensive adults: 0.75 mm Hg (95% CI 0.20 to 1.30)

  • Hypertensive adults: 1.89 mm Hg (95% CI 0.84 to 2.93)

Meta-regression of randomised trials of salt reduction, adjusted for age and ethnic group.13
Median trial duration: 4–5 weeks
 Based on a population studyDecrease in systolic blood pressure per 1 g/day salt reduction:

  • Normotensive and hypertensive adults: 1.93 mm Hg (95% CI 1.45 to 2.40)

Population study of salt reduction.19
Timespan observed: 8 years
Effect of systolic blood pressure change on cardiovascular disease risk:
 Ischaemic heart diseaseReduction in relative risk of first ischaemic heart disease event (fatal or non-fatal) for each 1 mm Hg systolic blood pressure reduction:

  • 35–44 yeas: 4.0% (95% CI 2.2% to 5.5%)

  • 45–54 years: 3.6% (95% CI 2.2% to 4.7%)

  • 55–64 years: 3.1% (95% CI 2.2% to 3.8%)

  • 65–74 years: 2.5% (95% CI 2.2% to 2.8%)

  • 75–84 years: 2.1% (94% CI 1.9% to 2.2%)

Pooling of meta-analysis of epidemiological studies (Asia Pacific Cohort Studies Collaboration and the Prospective Studies Collaboration), representing a total of 1.38M participants with 65 000 cardiovascular disease events from 99 cohorts.20
 StrokeReduction in relative risk of first stroke event (fatal or non-fatal) for each 1 mm Hg systolic blood pressure reduction:

  • 35–44 years: 5.1% (95% CI 4.7% to 5.5%)

  • 45–54 years: 4.5% (95% CI 4.2% to 4.8%)

  • 55–64 years: 3.9% (95% CI 3.6% to 4.1%)

  • 65–74 years: 3.1% (95% CI 2.8% to 3.3%)

  • 75–84 years: 2.2% (95% CI 2.0% to 2.5%)