From Anthony Daniel
The relationship between cardiovascular disease and a salty diet is well known to the medical profession (3 December, p 46), but, as you briefly mention, it is equally well known, at least in regard to blood pressure, that some people are salt sensitive and some are not. It is not surprising therefore that many of the studies quoted produced equivocal results. Large investigations of random groups will not necessarily produce worthwhile findings if several factors are present.
Although applauding cardiologist Francesco Cappuccio’s approach of looking at those with evidence of disease, I think there are fascinating opportunities to study groups who have apparent risk factors but do not show signs of the illness normally associated with them.
Sevenoaks, Kent, UK
