Salt at the table: A blessing or a curse for cardiovascular disease among people 60-75-year-old aged Karachi, Pakistan. A case- control study.

Abstract

Objective: To examine the association between discretionary salt use—specifically adding salt at the table—and the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) among adults aged 60–75 years in Karachi, Pakistan. Study Design: Case-control study. Setting: Department of Community Health Sciences, Bahria University Health Sciences, Karachi, Pakistan. Period: June 2024 to November 2024. Methods: A total of 592 participants were enrolled, including 296 diagnosed CVD patients with chronic hypertension (cases) and 296 age- and gender-matched controls without CVD (controls). Data were collected using a structured, closed-ended questionnaire in English and Urdu via Google Forms. Participants' salt consumption behaviors, blood pressure readings, sociodemographic data, and beliefs about salt use were recorded. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 26. The chi-square test (p ≤ 0.05) was applied to determine associations between salt use and CVD, and odds ratios (ORs) were calculated to assess risk levels. Results: Participants who frequently added salt at the table had significantly higher odds of developing CVD. A total of 72% of CVD cases reported added salt intake compared to 28% of controls (p = 0.0001). The odds ratio for CVD among high salt users was 4.894 (95% CI: 3.395–6.926). Additional risk factors included higher blood pressure, lower education, smoking, and a family history of heart disease. Conclusion: The study reveals a strong link between discretionary salt use and increased cardiovascular disease risk in older adults. Targeted public health strategies, including dietary counseling and awareness campaigns, are recommended to reduce salt intake and prevent CVD in this age group.