Heart Health Research

Our research in Heart Health examines the impact that dietary sodium and diet quality has on cardiovascular health outcomes. Our findings have led to the development of dietary interventions that can improve the health of individuals with a particular emphasis on those with cardiovascular diseases, including heart failure and hypertension.

Many of our studies also apply implementation science concepts and frameworks to understand and improve the real-world application of clinical nutrition guidelines. Some of these studies focus on the use of technology as a way to support patients and health care providers in dietary modification.

As a leader in nutrition and cardiovascular health, Dr. Arcand's research has contributed foundational data that has informed clinical practice guidelines and supported dietary sodium reduction in both personal and practice settings.

Knowledge Translation and Implementation Science to Improve Heart Health.

Our research advances the prevention and management of cardiovascular disease through evidence-based research that aims to improve diet quality and support healthier food environments. We focus on dietary sodium as a key, modifiable risk factor for hypertension and cardiovascular disease, while also examining the behavioural, clinical, and policy factors that influence eating patterns across populations. Our research in this area includes the following:

Systematic reviews and population surveillance: Using published literature and national nutrition datasets to track dietary trends and identify priority areas for sodium reduction and the promotion of healthy eating policies.
Behavioural and clinical studies: Investigating how cognitive, social, and environmental factors shape food choices and dietary adherence.
Intervention research: Developing, implementing, and evaluating dietary interventions, digital health tools, nutrition education programs, and policy interventions that make heart-healthy eating achievable and sustainable.

Through interdisciplinary collaboration and partnerships with government, clinicians, and health organizations, our work informs clinical and public health interventions that reduce the burden of hypertension and cardiovascular disease outcomes.

Evidence-based Intervention: The Sodium Calculator

The Sodium Calculator is an interactive web-based dietary screening tool to help Canadians instantaneously assess the amount and sources of sodium in their diet.

The 26 question food frequency questionnaire screening tool has been used by thousands of Canadians and people worldwide. We’ve worked with Mexico to develop their own Sodium Calculator.

Our pilot research shows the Sodium Calculator improves sodium knowledge, attitudes, and intended behaviours when used by Canadians. Healthcare providers found the Sodium Calculator helpful as a decision support tool in their electronic medical record, improving physician confidence and quality of counselling about sodium.

By popular demand, a longer version of the Sodium Calculator is being created. This new tool will include more than 65 questions asking about food intake and the use of low sodium options.

Try The Sodium Calculator

Evidence-based Intervention: Sodium 101

Following the development of the Sodium Calculator, which allows individuals with and without heart disease to assess the amount and sources of sodium in their diet, our team realized the public would benefit from an equally engaging educational tool to help reduce dietary sodium intake. The Sodium Calculator is an interactive web-based dietary screening tool to help Canadians reduce sodium intake.

With funding from Manulife, Dr. Arcand led the co-design and launch of Sodium 101, an interactive digital tool that supports dietary sodium learning and behaviour change.

100% of users reported that Sodium 101 improved their knowledge, and that they would recommend it to others.

Sodium 101 has already been integrated into hypertension education and screening programs.

Try Sodium 101

Studies on the Nutritional Management of Heart Failure.

Our early research included the clinical and epidemiological evaluation of dietary sodium among heart failure (HF) patients in Canada and other countries. Among patients with heart failure, we have assessed:

Overall dietary adequacy.
The levels of dietary sodium that contribute to adverse clinical outcomes (e.g., ADHF hospitalizations).
The best methods to assess sodium intake among patients who take loop diuretics.

This work informed the methods applied in the SODIUM-HF clinical trial. Dr. Arcand collaborates with multidisciplinary teams to evaluate the effectiveness of dietary counselling interventions and to integrate nutrition into models of heart failure care.

Currently, this research applies both quantitative and qualitative methods to prospectively examine patient and healthcare provider needs, motivations, challenges, barriers and drivers to the use of mobile apps to support HF management. This research also includes the development and evaluation of a mobile app to support patients with heart failure in modifying and adhering to diet recommendations. This research is funded by the Canadian Institutes for Health Research.

Development of The Sodium Navigator for Patients in Heart Failure.

Sodium reduction is a key dietary therapy for patients with heart failure, however, nuanced dietary education is also needed considering their medical therapies and symptoms.

With funding from CIHR, Dr. Arcand led the development of the Sodium Navigator - an engaging digital self-management tool to support dietary behaviour change in this high-risk clinical population.

Using evidence-based behavioural strategies including goal setting, self-monitoring and feedback, the Sodium Navigator extends dietary counselling beyond traditional in-person care and fills a critical gap in heart failure management.

The Sodium Navigator will soon be available for download from app stores. Contact Dr. Arcand to get early access to the Sodium Navigator App.

Engaging in Knowledge Synthesis and Mobilization Activities to Address Controversies in Nutrition and Establish Clinical Practice Guidelines.

Dr. Arcand's extensive research and accumulated knowledge on sodium and its effect on cardiovascular health is often used to inform clinical practice guidelines and keep the clinical, scientific, and decision-making communities abreast of new research that may impact policy and practice. Other prestigious cardiovascular research roles held by Dr. Arcand include:

Co-Founder and Co-Chair of the World Hypertension League’s Science of Salt Advisory Committee. Dr. Arcand also oversaw the conduct of planned, periodic systematic reviews on dietary sodium and health outcomes.
Participant in the World Hypertension League's TRUE (inTernational ConsoRtium for qUality resEarch on dietary sodium/salt) working group of dietary sodium experts to analyze the literature and generate consensus on best practices for dietary sodium research.
Diet expert on Hypertension Canada's clinical practice guidelines committee.

Recent Heart Health Publications

"Nobody is talking about it so maybe it is not that important". A qualitative study examining Canadian adults' perceptions and experiences with dietary sodium.

Overview: Excess sodium intake is a major risk factor for chronic disease, yet most Canadians exceed recommended levels. This descriptive qualitative study examines the lived experiences, perceptions, and motivations behind sodium intake behaviours in the general population.

The study found that awareness of excess dietary sodium as a public health concern is low, with many people prioritizing other nutrients such as calories, sugar, or fat. Most did not know how much sodium they consumed, and that this was a barrier to awareness and taking action in reducing dietary sodium. Participants often misunderstood sodium’s sources and risks, and were reluctant to change due to taste preferences and limited access to lower-sodium foods. Social, cultural, and economic factors, including family habits, peer influence, and food cost, further influenced behaviours.

Participants suggested that dietary sodium awareness could be improved through more physician guidance, better public education, and more accessible messaging, especially on social media and in healthcare settings.

Access the Full Study:

Al Ghali R, Tahir S, Vogel E, Khaliq M, Bafagih S, Arcand J.
Appetite, Volume 216, 2026, 108265, ISSN 0195-6663,
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0195666325004180

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