How Much Salt Is Safe For Heart Patients? Experts Explain

We have often been told by doctors to check our sodium intake. We have been warned about the negative effects of ‘too much salt’ on our heart health. Have you ever wondered how much salt intake is advisable for heart patients? Today, we will explain it to you from an expert lens. Keep reading.

To get a better understanding of this, the editorial team of OnlyMyHealth reached out to Dr Sanjay Bhat, Sr Consultant – Interventional Cardiology, Aster CMI Hospital, Bangalore and Dr VP Sharma, Director and Senior Consultant Cardiology, Fortis Hospital Jalandhar, Punjab.

How Much Salt Is Safe For Heart Patients?

When it comes to heart health, how much salt is too much salt? Dr Bhat explains, “Salt is an important part of the diet, but too much salt can be harmful, especially for people with heart problems. Salt contains sodium, which can increase blood pressure and put extra strain on the heart.” 

The expert adds, “For heart patients, doctors usually recommend limiting sodium intake to about 1,500 to 2,000 mg per day. This is roughly equal to less than one teaspoon of salt in a day, including all the salt added during cooking and present in packaged foods. Eating more than this regularly can raise blood pressure and increase the risk of heart attack, stroke, and worsening heart failure.”

As per National Health Service (NHS), adults should not consume more than 6g of salt a day (around 1 level teaspoon). This consists of the salt that’s already in our food and the one added during and after cooking.

What Is The Link Between Salt And Blood Pressure? 

Did you know that high sodium intake can increase your blood pressure as well? Explaining this, Dr Sharma shares, “Excessive sodium intake triggers water retention, leading to an increase in blood volume and hike in blood pressure. This increases the risk of heart failure. The recommended daily limit for salt intake is around 2,300 mg for a healthy individual. However, when we consider heart patients and hypertension patients, the standard recommendation is to limit the sodium intake to less than 1,500 mg a day, which is roughly 3.8-5 grams or ¾ of a teaspoon of salt.”

As per the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), too much salt intake can lead to high blood pressure (also known as hypertension). It is a condition in which blood pressure remains high, and it makes the heart work too hard. The high force of the blood flow can be harmful for arteries and organs (such as the heart, kidneys, brain, and eyes). Uncontrolled high blood pressure can increase the risk of heart attack, heart failure, stroke, kidney disease, and blindness. 

On this note, Dr Bhat lists down health risks of excess sodium intake:

• When a person eats too much salt, the body holds on to extra water. This increases the volume of blood in the body, making the heart work harder.
• This can also lead to swelling in the legs, feet, or abdomen, especially in people with heart failure. 

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Risks Of Excess Salt In Diet

On this note, let us take a look at the risks of excess salt in diet:

• Thirst: Increased thirst may be a sign of elevated sodium levels.
• Water retention: Eating more salt can make the kidneys retain more fluid.
• Hypernatremia: If sodium levels present in the blood are 145 mmol/L or higher, then you may be at risk for hypernatremia.
• Heart diseases: Along with increasing blood pressure, the American Heart Association (AHA) mentioned that consuming excess salt may increase the risk of other conditions, such as:

1. Stroke

2. Heart failure

3. Kidney stones

4. Kidney disease

What Are The ‘Hidden’ Sources Of Salt In Diet?

According to the American Heart Association, sodium may also come from sources beyond the ‘obvious’ ones. They mentioned that sometimes, sodium is hidden on product labels in words that you may not know. On this note, let us take a look at some of these ‘hidden’ sources of sodium in our diet:

• Breads and Rolls.
• Condiments and Sauces.
• Processed Meats and Dairy.
• Canned Goods.
• Ready-to-Eat Foods.
• Unexpected Foods.

Tips To Reduce Salt Intake

Dr Sharma explains that the bigger issue with sodium intake is that typical diets provide over 3,400 mg of sodium a day, largely from packaged and restaurant foods. “Hence, the first step towards maintaining a healthy heart is to cut processed foods off the diet and not solely rely on reducing salt in homemade food. Patients are advised to focus on a fresh homemade food diet with fewer spices and salts. Gradual reduction helps the palate adjust over time. Individual recommendations may vary, hence, dietary advice should ideally be tailored in consultation with a treating physician or dietitian,” adds the expert.

On this note, Dr Bhat jots down some tips to follow to reduce sodium intake:

• To manage salt intake, it is important to avoid processed and packaged foods, as they often contain high amounts of hidden sodium.
• Foods like chips, pickles, sauces, instant noodles, and ready-to-eat meals should be limited. Instead, fresh foods like fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and home-cooked meals are better choices.
• Simple habits can help reduce salt intake, such as not adding extra salt at the table, using herbs and spices for flavor, and checking food labels for sodium content.
• Drinking enough water and maintaining a healthy lifestyle also support heart health.
• Some people may need stricter limits based on their condition, so it is best to follow a doctor’s advice. 

The NHS stated in a report that you should try not to use too many sauces (such as soy sauce, gravy granules, ketchup, mustard, mayonnaise and brown sauce) as they can be high in salt. It further added that one should not have salt on the table, if they are trying to cut down.

When To Visit A Doctor

As per the National Institutes of Health, dietary sodium restriction is generally recommended for patients with heart failure to prevent fluid retention, exacerbation of symptoms, and hospitalization in cases of acute decompensated heart failure. The best approach to reducing the sodium intake is a strong foundation in good, wholesome foods, along with clean eating, weight control and regular exercise. You can visit a dietician if you are struggling with the same and in need of keeping your sodium levels, as well as overall diet, in check.

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Conclusion

To summarise, keeping salt intake low is very important for heart patients to control blood pressure and protect the heart. Doctors generally recommend limiting sodium intake to about 1,500 to 2,000 mg per day for heart patients. However, individual recommendations may vary. Therefore, dietary advice should ideally be tailored after consultation with a medical professional.