Salt and High Blood Pressure
can Spell Disaster

Salt and high blood pressure can be a deadly combination. Find out how much salt is in the foods you already eat, and how to avoid it...

When it comes to salt and high blood pressure, most people need to take steps to alter their consumption of salt. If you have high blood pressure, it is critical that you alter your diet to reduce the amount you take in.

Salt can work against you in a variety of ways.

When you have high blood pressure, your heart is working hard. Eventually, the blood vessels leading throughout the body are damaged, including those leading to the kidneys. When this occurs, your kidneys struggle to remove waste from the body, including sodium. Excess sodium causes a buildup of fluids in the body, and if left untreated, could cause your lungs to fill with fluid.

However, sodium is something that your body needs. It needs a smaller amount, though, then what most Americans take in.

The current sodium recommendation is 2400 mg, which is about one teaspoon of salt. This is according to the Federal Government's National high Blood Pressure Education Program. However, this is not low enough for those who have high blood pressure. Those who need to lower blood pressure, a maximum daily intake of 1500 mg per day is recommended.

Foods with High Sodium

Although the first step in reducing sodium for a high blood pressure diet is not adding salt to your food at the table, because more than 75 percent of the sodium consumed comes from food itself.

Following are some of the most common high sodium foods:

• Canned soups, vegetables and beans
• Frozen dinners
• Cup noodles or instant products
• Frozen pizza
• Dressings, marinades, sauces, dry and liquid varieties
• Processed meats like bacon, sausages and ham
• Cured and smoked meat and fish
• Breakfast mixes

Reducing Sodium

You should reduce or eliminate from your diet those foods that are high in sodium. In addition to this, there are several other things you can do to reduce the amount of sodium you take in:

• Choose to eat fresh or frozen vegetables and fruits, avoiding canned products.
• Choose soups and broths that are low sodium, read packaging labels.
• Rinse and drain any foods that you purchase that are canned foods, before consuming if you cannot cut them from your diet.
• Avoid instant dinners, instant rice, instant noodles or processed foods.

Salt and high blood pressure do not mix. In fact, reducing your sodium intake can significantly improve your overall health and make a significant impact on your blood pressure readings.

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