Electronic Monitoring Device Helps Heart Patients Monitor Their Salt Intake

Could an electronic monitoring device actually help determine how much salt heart failure patients are consuming? Recent findings presented at the American Heart Association's Scientific Sessions 2014 are investigating alternatives to bring less sodium into struggling families' homes.

The proposed idea is known as the Family Sodium Watcher Program, and it focuses on a partnership between heart failure and a caregiver/member of the family who're willing to adopt low-salt into their diet.

For their research, the study authors conducted a three-month trial with 15 patient-caregiver pairs.
More specifically, there was an intervention group of eight patients who received 12 weeks of self-care education for heart failure with gradual adaptive strategies in salt intake. Many of the participants said they found the device easy to use and that it helped them maintain a low-sodium diet. Furthermore, they said they enjoyed their low-salt diets more, as close to 90 percent noticed a change in their ability to taste salt in their food. Caregivers also reported a no increase burden due to the program.

The control group of seven patients, however, did not change their behavior.

Researchers concluded with nothing that they believe the entire program can help families improve their lifestyle, if used over time.