Salt Taste Recognition in a Heart Failure Cohort

• Published in: Journal of cardiac failure 2017-07, Vol.23 (7), p.538-544
• Main Authors: Cohen, Laura P., MD, MPP, Hummel, Scott L., MD MS, Maurer, Mathew S., MD, López-Pintado, Sara, PhD, Wessler, Jeffrey D., MD MPhil
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: aging; Cardiovascular; heart failure; hedonic shift; Salt taste
• ISSN: 1071-9164; 1532-8414
• DOI: 10.1016/j.cardfail.2017.05.001

Highlights • The affinity for and ability to taste salt is altered in both the elderly and heart failure (HF) populations. The ability to taste salt theoretically changes following periods of sodium restriction, a phenomena known as a “hedonic shift.” • We sought to study factors influencing salt taste using sodium-chloride impregnated salt taste test strips to measure salt taste recognition threshold. We compared salt taste recognition thresholds in groups of young, healthy elderly, stable HF, and acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF) subjects. • Young, healthy controls had significantly lower salt taste recognition thresholds compared to older, healthy subjects, subjects with stable HF, and subjects with acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF). • On multivariate testing, age was not an important factor for predicting changes in salt taste recognition threshold while carrying a heart failure diagnosis showed a strong association with decreased salt taste recognition threshold. • We found a sustained decrease in salt taste recognition threshold for subjects admitted with ADHF who underwent follow-up testing on discharge and throughout a 12-week period post-hospitalization using a mixed effect model. This may be a representation of a “hedonic shift,” in which changes in salt taste occur following periods of sodium restriction.