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Hypertension/AHA diets
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Question
Hello! I am trying to learn more about AHA diets. What is the difference between low salt and low sodium diets? Does low salt mean following a 2gm diet, or is it 4gm? What about Low sodium. I don't know if that means 4gm or 2 gm. In regards to a "cardiac diet", is caffeine allowed? And would it be 2gm or 4gm? Thanks!
A 1-gram sodium diet equates with a 2.5-gm salt diet; otherwise, there is no difference between low salt and low sodium diet. The salt is comprised of sodium and chloride thus it weighs more than sodium alone. Otherwise stated, of the 2.5-gm of salt in a proposed diet, 1-gram is sodium and 1.5 grams are chloride. Caffeine in moderation is acceptable even in a cardiac diet though I am uncertain as to what the cardiac diet is being used for.
Regards,
Domenic Sica, M.D.
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Answers by Expert:
Domenic Sica
Expertise
All aspects of hypertension as well as any consideration in drug therapy for the management of hypertension.
Experience
Heavily published in the area of drug therapy in hypertension and renal disease. Primary management physician for a large multi-state referral practice for diagnosis and management of complex hypertension
Organizations
Multiple including the American Society of Hypertension, International Society of Hypertension, American Society of Nephrology, American Heart Association, American College of Clinical Pharmacology amongst others.
Publications
Over 250 publications (see PubMed)
Education/Credentials
Board certified in internal medicine, nephrology, clinical pharmacology, and hypertension
Awards and Honors
Multiple awards as clinical and/or teacher of the year.
Past/Present Clients
Not pertinent
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