Hg (diastolic), were smaller than those seen in hypertension
drug trials and feeding trials (134, 135). However,
epidemiologic data suggest that even changes as
small as 2 mm Hg in systolic blood pressure can decrease
the risk for coronary heart disease by 6% or
stroke by 16% (136). Direct evidence from observational
follow-up of the large hypertension prevention
trials that used sodium reduction counseling suggest
that these small changes in blood pressure can result in
a 30% reduction in cardiovascular disease events and
revascularization in persons with mildly elevated diastolic
blood pressure (137). Reductions in cholesterol
level were also small (about 0.17 mmol/L [5.02 mg/dL]
in total cholesterol level). On the basis of randomized,
controlled trials in primary prevention, a sustained reduction
of 0.6 mmol/L (23.17 mg/dL) in total serum
cholesterol level—an average decrease of 10%—can reduce
coronary heart disease by about 25% (138). However,
it is unclear whether smaller reductions in total
cholesterol level due to dietary changes can affect cardiovascular
disease.