The most compelling finding of this study was the impact of
adherence to the SRD on cardiac event-free survival in patients
with HF. This finding demonstrated that patients who did not
adhere to recommended limits of 3 g of daily sodium intake
were approximately twice as likely to experience ER visits,
hospitalisations, or death due to cardiac-related problems,
even after controlling for other risk factors. A similar finding
regarding the impact of dietary sodium intake on cardiac
readmission and mortality in patients with HF was shown in
one study (Paterna et al. 2008). Paterna et al.(2008) reported
that HF patients who followed an SRD of less than 2Æ76 g per
day with fluid restriction less than 1 l/day had a lower
incidence of cardiac hospitalisation and death. Also, the
findings of the current study are consistent with the current
guidelines from both the Heart Failure Scoeity of America
(2006) and the ACC/AHA (2005). These findings are impo