Why swapping salt for a special kind of salt keeps hearts healthier in older people

Adding potassium to salt helps elderly people in care homes stay healthier hearts, but just using less salt doesn’t do the same thing—so it’s the potassium, not less salt, that’s helping.

Simply taking away salt in nursing homes doesn't seem to lower blood pressure or prevent heart problems, but swapping it for a potassium-rich salt might work better.

Switching to a salt that has more potassium might raise potassium levels in the blood of older adults living in care homes, and while this can cause a lab result called hyperkalemia, it doesn't seem to cause serious problems like heart rhythm issues or hospital visits.

Switching to a special low-salt, high-potassium salt substitute can help older adults in care homes lower their blood pressure and reduce heart problems by 40%, even if their blood potassium goes up a bit — and it doesn’t seem to cause more side effects.

Using a special low-sodium salt with more potassium might help elderly people in care homes have healthier hearts without making them more likely to die, even if their blood potassium goes up a bit.