Individuals with heart diseases are advised to maintain a healthy diet with some food restrictions, one of which is maintaining a low sodium diet. Excessive amounts of sodium can cause blood pressure to rise leading to heart related diseases and it can be a risk factor for the people who already have heart problems.
According to Harvard Medical School, both excessive sodium intake and high blood pressure are major risk factors for developing heart failure, and for causing complications in those with existing heart failure. The Harvard Medical School also stated that it is important to restrict profoundly by the people with heart diseases the salt intake as 6.5 million American adults have heart failure.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) stated , “An estimated 1.89 million deaths each year are associated with consuming too much sodium, a well-established cause of raised blood pressure and increased risk of cardiovascular disease.”
To understand why a person with heart disease should maintain a low sodium diet, OnlyMyHealth interacted with Dr Amit Kumar Chaurasia, Chief of Cath Lab and TAVI (Unit 1) at Artemis Hospital Gurugram.
How Does Sodium Affect Heart?
Dr Chaurasia said, “Sodium plays a pivotal role in maintaining fluid balance and transmitting nerve impulses. Since it performs a key function, its consumption is good for health but its excessive intake can harm heart health. High sodium intake causes fluid retention, increasing blood volume and pressure, straining the heart. This strain can increase the risk of hypertension, a major risk factor for heart disease.”
Adding further, he said, “Also, excessive sodium consumption may impair the function of the endothelium, the inner lining of blood vessels, causing atherosclerosis, a condition characterised by the buildup of plaque in arteries. Atherosclerosis narrows arteries, restricting blood flow to the heart, increasing the chances of heart attacks or other cardiovascular complications.”
In order to manage blood pressure, people with heart diseases are advised to consume less amount of sodium. High sodium intake can aggravate hypertension which can be a significant risk factor for heart diseases. “By consuming less sodium, people can lower their blood pressure, decreasing the workload on the heart and reducing the risk of complications like heart attacks, strokes, and heart failure,” Dr Chaurasia said.
Also read: Problem With Heart Rate? Expert Explains Arrhythmia, Its Causes, And Preventive Tips
Ways To Cut Back Sodium
There are several strategies to cut back on sodium intake and promote heart health. Dr Charurasia helped us list these few ways.
- Firstly, develop a habit of reading food labels carefully as this can help in identifying high-sodium products and choose lower-sodium alternatives.
- Choose fresh, whole foods like fruits, vegetables, lean meats, and whole grains as they can naturally lower sodium intake.
- Prefer eating at home because cooking at home allows for better control over ingredients and seasoning, reducing reliance on processed foods that are typically high in sodium.
- When dining out, you can ask for dishes to be prepared without added salt and sauces as this can help in minimising sodium intake.
- Experimenting with herbs, spices, and salt-free seasoning blends can add flavour to meals without relying on salt.
- Most importantly, staying hydrated with water instead of sodium-rich beverages like soda or sports drinks supports a lower-sodium diet and promotes overall heart health.
(Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only. We advise you to consult your healthcare provider if you have any heart conditions.)