Urinary sodium excretion and cardiovascular mortality in Finland

Jaakko Tuomilehto et al, Urinary sodium excretion and cardiovascular mortality in Finland, Lancet, 2001: 357 (9259):848-851

Very high sodium intakes in overweight Finnish men predicted mortality and coronary heart disease.  The effect was not observed in women or men of normal weight.  The study is consistent with Alderman's hypothesis of a "J-shaped curve" of risk related to salt intake such that moderate sodium diets (the current US average, for example) are not associated with cardiovascular risk, but high-salt diets (Finland was twice the US average) are problematic.  See Alderman's correspondence.