OBJECTIVES: The aim was to estimate the sodium-intake and to describe the association of salt consumption and atheroma formation among preoperative patients undergoing Coronary-Artery- Bypass-Grafting (CABG) at Sri Jayewardenepura General Hospital (SJGH), Sri Lanka.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: The current study is conducted by adapting a cross sectional design with 233 patients admitted to Sri Jayewardenepura Hospital (SJGH) Sri Lanka with acute heart diseases. Data on the patients' dietary intake, health history, and demographic and lifestyle-related information were gathered. Salt intake was assessed in relation to the consumption of table salt, foods with additional salt, and foods from restaurants. Restaurant food and foods with added salt were processed using a web application and food-tables. To determine the factors that are significantly related to IHD, the multivariate logistic regression model was used.

RESULTS: 6,176 mg of sodium were found to be the average daily intake for each participant in the study. This was much greater than the WHO-recommended daily intake of 2,000 mg, showing a connection between segmental lesions and sodium intake (P <0.01). The multivariate binary logistic model showed that excessive salt intake (OR=8.54, 95% CI 4.545-16.734) leads to stimulate and the occurrence of Diabetes Mellitus (OR=2.23, 95% CI, 1.206-4.238), contributing to the elevation of number of segmental lesions (P<0.01).

CONCLUSION: Regardless of age, sex, or any other known disease conditions or risk factors, a daily consumption of sodium raises the likelihood of atheroma formation in more coronary segments.