The use of potassium-enriched salt has now been recommended by the National Hypertension Taskforce - Australia's peak body for blood pressure control - in a new position statement published in the Journal of Hypertension1.
The George Institute for Global Health welcomed the statement which supports the inclusion of potassium-enriched salt in national hypertension management guidelines, describing it as an important and practical step toward improving blood pressure control and reducing cardiovascular deaths.
"This is a strong, evidence-based recommendation that aligns Australia with the latest international guidelines. Switching to potassium-enriched salt is one of the most feasible and impactful ways to lower blood pressure and prevent heart attacks and strokes. We commend the Taskforce for giving this issue the prominence it deserves.
By:Professor Bruce Neal
Executive Director at The George Institute
The National Hypertension Taskforce, launched in 2022 in response to Australia's low and stagnating rates of high blood pressure control, has the ambitious goal to double control rates from 32% to 70% by 2030. Hypertension currently affects one in three Australian adults and is the nation's leading cause of preventable death and disability2.
Excess dietary sodium and low potassium intake are both linked to high blood pressure, with high sodium alone being attributed to 1.9 million deaths globally each year3. But despite decades of public health campaigns, salt intake remains nearly double recommended levels while potassium intake continues to fall short.
With potassium-enriched salt, a portion of the sodium chloride in regular salt is replaced with potassium chloride, typically in a 75:25 ratio. Large-scale clinical trials show that this switch can lower blood pressure, reduce major cardiovascular events and decrease cardiovascular deaths4.
"Incorporating potassium-enriched salt into national hypertension guidelines is a transformative step. This aligns Australia with global best practice and WHO recommendations. It's a practical, low-cost measure that can reshape food environments, empower consumers, and deliver lasting gains in blood-pressure control and heart-health equity.
By:Dr Luna Xu
Senior Lecturer, UNSW Sydney and Honorary Research Fellow, The George Institute for Global Health
A recent review of 32 hypertension guidelines worldwide5 showed all recommend sodium reduction as a strategy for hypertension management. Many also suggested increasing potassium intake, but only four mentioned potassium-enriched salt and just two specifically recommended its routine use for hypertension management.
However newer international guidelines from the European Society of Hypertension6 the European Society of Cardiology7 and the American College of Cardiology American Heart Association8 now recommend the use of potassium-enriched salt.
The George Institute supports the Taskforce's call for potassium-enriched salt to be incorporated into the next update of the Australian Guideline for the Diagnosis and Management of Hypertension, alongside measures to ensure safe use for people with kidney disease or on certain medications.
The Institute is also working with partners globally to expand access to potassium-enriched salt, and engaging industry, regulators, and consumers in scaling up the use of potassium-enriched salt.
"We are proud to see Australia taking a leadership role. This is an opportunity to make a low-cost, evidence-based change that can save lives across the population.
By:Prof Neal
References
1.Xiaoyue X, et al. Potassium-enriched salt for patients with hypertension: a Hypertension Australia and National Hypertension Taskforce of Australia Position Statement. J Hypertens 2025. https://doi.org/10.1097/HJH.0000000000004199
2. Schutte AE, et al. National Hypertension Taskforce of Australia: a roadmap to achieve 70% blood pressure control in Australia by 2030. Med J Aust 2024. https://doi.org/10.5694/mja2.52373
3. Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME): Diet high in sodium - Level 3 risk. 2021. Available at: https://www.healthdata.org/research-analysis/diseases-injuries-risks/factsheets/2021-diet-high-sodium-level-3-risk
4. Neal B, et al. Effect of salt substitution on cardiovascular events and death. New Engl J Med 2021. https://doi.org/10.1056/NEJMoa2105675
5. Xu X, et al. Potassium-enriched salt substitutes: a review of recommendations in clinical management guidelines. Hypertension 2024. https://doi.org/10.1161/HYPERTENSIONAHA.123.21343
6. Mancia G, et al. 2023 ESH Guidelines for the management of arterial hypertension The Task Force for the management of arterial hypertension of the European Society of Hypertension: endorsed by the International Society of Hypertension (ISH) and the European Renal Association (ERA). J Hypertens 2023. https://doi.org/10.1097/HJH.0000000000003480
7. McEvoy JW, et al. 2024 ESC Guidelines for the management of elevated blood pressure and hypertension. Eur Heart J 2024; https://doi.org/10.1093/eurheartj/ehae178
8. Ferdinand KC, et al. AHA/ACC/AANP/AAPA/ABC/ACCP/ACPM/AGS/AMA/ASPC/NMA/PCNA/SGIM Guideline for the Prevention, Detection, Evaluation and Management of High Blood Pressure in Adults: A Report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Joint Committee on Clinical Practice Guidelines. Circulation 2025. https://doi.org/10.1161/CIR.0000000000001356
