Primary health care providers' attitudes and counseling behaviors related to dietary sodium reduction.

摘要

High sodium intake is associated with increased blood pressure.Average sodium intake among US adults far exceeds recommendations. Primary care physicians and nurse practitioners are the first line of medical care and can influence opinions and behaviors of their patients. Although some information exists about perceived advice from health professionals related to sodium reduction, little is known about health care providers' own perceptions about sodium intake and patient counseling behaviors about reducing sodium intake.