Many patients do not want to limit their salt intake, even when a doctor tells them the numerous health benefits. Salt substitutes may represent another way forward. 

The group's annual meeting heads to Atlanta this April. TAVR, GLP-1 agonists, medical imaging guidance and blood pressure control are just some of the topics that will be presented during late-breaking sessions.

The study’s authors emphasized that a person can still occasionally eat meat, fish or dairy products and still see substantial benefits—the key is to keep such foods to a minimum.

"It’s clear to me that urgent intervention is long overdue," one cardiologist said in a statement. 

The CDC defines severe obesity, or class III obesity, as any patient with a BMI of 40 or higher. TAVR among these patients is not associated with a lower survival rate, but it does lead to many more risks.

The 28-year-old woman says she drank two and a half Charged Lemonade drinks and was in the emergency room the very next day. According to her lawsuit, she was diagnosed with atrial fibrillation and is now taking daily heart medications. 

“Patients can safely continue oral intake until the time of the procedure, improving their satisfaction and comfort without adverse events,” researchers wrote.

The popular drugs, originally developed to treat diabetes, are being used more and more in the United States to help obese and overweight patients lose weight.