The National Hypertension Taskforce of Australia has published a new position statement in the Journal of Hypertension, recommending that potassium-enriched salt be incorporated into Australia's hypertension management guidelines as a safe, effective, and scalable strategy to help lower blood pressure and reduce cardiovascular disease.
The National Hypertension Taskforce is a joint initiative of the Australian Cardiovascular Alliance and Hypertension Australia, which has set the goal of increasing Australia's controlled blood pressure from 32% to 70% by 2030. The Taskforce has 25 members across the health spectrum including peak bodies, professional societies, clinicians, researchers and consumers with lived experience.
The statement, "Potassium-enriched salt for patients with hypertension: A Hypertension Australia and National Hypertension Taskforce of Australia Position Statement" highlights robust global evidence showing that replacing regular salt (100% sodium chloride) with a potassium-enriched substitute (typically 75% sodium chloride and 25% potassium chloride) can significantly reduce blood pressure and cardiovascular risk.
High blood pressure affects around one in three Australian adults and remains the leading cause of preventable death and disability nationwide. Excess sodium and insufficient potassium intake are key dietary drivers, yet national progress in reducing salt intake has failed.
"This position statement marks an important step forward in our national effort to prevent and control hypertension," said Professor Alta Schutte, Co-Chair of the National Hypertension Taskforce. "Potassium-enriched salt is a practical and evidence-based solution that can be implemented immediately. Including this recommendation in Australia's clinical guidelines will give healthcare professionals and patients a new tool to improve better blood pressure control and prevent heart disease and strokes."
The publication supports the Taskforce's broader goal to increase blood pressure control in Australia from 32% to 70% by 2030 – the Taskforce's mission. The Taskforce's Roadmap for Action focuses on three pillars, Prevent, Detect, and Effectively Treat hypertension, with dietary change and sodium reduction forming key components of prevention.
"Switching to potassium-enriched salt is an effective way to improve blood pressure control at scale," said Professor Markus Schlaich, Co-Chair of the National Hypertension Taskforce. "This recommendation aligns with the latest international guidance from the World Health Organization, the European Society of Cardiology, and the American Heart Association, and has the potential to save thousands of Australian lives each year."
The Taskforce is calling for potassium-enriched salt to be included in the next update of the Australian Guideline for the Diagnosis and Management of Hypertension.
The statement has been jointly endorsed by Hypertension Australia, Kidney Health Australia, the Stroke Foundation, the Australian Cardiovascular Alliance, the Australian and New Zealand Stroke Organisation, the Australian Primary Health Care Nurses Association, the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia, and the Endocrine Society of Australia.
