While the US Department of Health and Human Services recommends a sodium intake of less than 2,300 mg/day, about 9 of 10 American adults exceed that limit. Increased sodium intake is believed to have a direct effect on a variety of negative cardiovascular outcomes such as coronary heart disease, left ventricular hypertrophy, and stroke. Recognizing the impact of dietary sodium on diseases like hypertension and CVD, the FDA recently released voluntary guidance for industry on the target mean and upper concentrations for sodium in commercially processed, packaged, and prepared foods. The guidance was intended to provide a measurable voluntary goal to help Americans to reduce their average sodium intake by 12% over the next 2.5 years, and plans for further iterative reductions in the future. In addition to daily dietary (food and drink) sodium, both prescription and over-the-counter medications can contribute to increasing patients’ total sodium intake per day. Additionally, other risk factors—such as smoking the absence of physical activity, and poor sleep hygiene—that contribute to developing cardiovascular conditions can be modified by maintaining a healthy and balanced lifestyle. This episode is produced by Sleep Review. It is episode 5 of a 5-part series sponsored by Jazz Pharmaceuticals. Visit Jazzpharma.com and NarcolepsyLink.com for more information. In episode 5, listen as Sleep Review’s Sree Roy and cardiologist-sleep specialist Barbara Hutchinson, MD, PhD, FACC, discuss:

• The FDA recently released guidance on voluntary target concentrations for sodium, in commercially processed packaged and prepared foods. What are your thoughts on this reduced goal for sodium intake, in terms of impact on cardiovascular risk?
• What are some links between high sodium intake and adverse cardiovascular outcomes?
• What should people be aware of with regard to medication use and sodium intake?
• How should cardiovascular risk be discussed when determining the management plan for sleep disorders?
• Can you share an example of modifying a sleep disorder patient's management plan, due to an emerging cardiovascular risk or disease?
• Beyond sodium intake, what are some of the other modifiable cardiovascular risk factors that everyone, regardless of whether they have a sleep disorder or not, should be aware of?