[A low-sodium diet for heart failure: necessary or harmful?]

Abstract

Heart failure is a common condition that leads to a large number of hospitalizations, a high mortality rate, and significant costs for the healthcare system. The symptoms and chronic nature of the disease severely impair patients' quality of life, forcing them to adapt their daily routines by following various lifestyle and dietary recommendations, including salt restriction. This diet, often presented as essential, can have mixed effects: while it may sometimes reduce the risk of rehospitalization, it can also increase it, particularly when it leads to dehydration. Furthermore, the impact of a low-sodium diet on quality of life remains significant.