The Effect of Salt on Your Blood Pressure

There are two numbers used in blood pressure measurements. These two numbers indicate how difficult it is for blood to flow through the arteries, veins and smaller blood vessels. The first number is the systolic pressure, which represents the pressure of the contracting heart. The second number is the diastolic pressure, which measures the pressure of the heart when it relaxes. Higher salt intake can increase both pressures.

DASH

• The Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) study determined a link between diet and blood pressure. From that study, the DASH diet was created. The diet is rich in vegetables, fruits, and low-fat dairy foods.

Health Benefits

• In 2001, the "New England Journal of Medicine" determined that reducing salt in the diet and lowering the risk of high blood pressure are helpful for various health reasons. Reducing high blood pressure also decreases risk of certain health problems later in life, such as heart attacks and strokes.

Considerations

• To reduce salt intake, eat fewer processed foods and order smaller portions in restaurants. Begin cooking without salt, and add flavor to food using spices, lemon juice or herbs.

Effects

• At the Canadian Cardiovascular Congress in 2009, doctors discussed how a sodium-laden Western diet was fueling a spike in blood pressure for Canadians. In Canada, it's estimated that excess sodium intake is responsible for 1 million cases of hypertension.

Expert Insight

• According to Dr. Denise Simons-Morton, reducing sodium is a nondrug approach to controlling blood pressure. The doctor also adds that if the U.S. food supply had less sodium, the general population would have lower blood pressure.