Higher Education and Income Levels Linked to Excess Salt Intake Among Heart Patients

According to a new study, people with cardiovascular disease are consuming more than double the recommended 1500 mg of sodium each day. The daily sodium consumption is 3096 mg, and 89% of the study’s participants consumed more than the recommended amount. AHA ( American Heart Association ) recommends that adults who are not prone to heart disease can consume more than 2300 mg of sodium per day, which is equivalent to one teaspoon of table salt. Average people with heart disease  in the current study exceeded that level by 1000 mg which is way above the required limit.The study used data from 3,170 participants in the Center for Disease Control’s NHANES study. These samples include males and females older than 20 diagnosed with cardiovascular disease. 

The majority of the participants in this group were more than 65 years of age, white, and high school graduates only. Males present in the study were overweight and had an average daily sodium intake of 1862 calories. The group with high sodium intake was people at the higher end of the income scale and with a college degree or higher. 

The study authors suggest that individuals with higher education and income levels could have been better at reporting their sodium intake, which may have contributed to the surprising results. 

Sodium is a naturally occurring mineral and essential for human health, but in moderation. It helps balance water in the body and supports the proper functioning of muscles and nerves. This is why salt increases the blood volume in the human body, increasing blood pressure. The increased blood pressure forces your heart to work harder, eventually putting you at risk of heart disease.  

Another study analyzed why people craved salt and concluded that the reasons include the widespread availability and marketing of convenient high-sodium processed foods, cultural dietary habits that prioritize salty foods, and limited awareness or education about the health risks associated with excessive sodium consumption. 

Tracking one’s salt intake is one of the first steps into reducing sodium consumption but it is difficult to know how much sodium one  actually consumes. Doctors suggest that one can use substitutes of salt .People should start scrutinizing food labels and being attentive to sodium levels, people may inadvertently consume excessive amounts.  

Adding small amounts of lemon or grapefruit juice to recipes can be a good substitute. The tangy taste of these fruits can trick taste buds into perceiving more saltiness than is actually present. Garlic powder, oregano, or any other taste-enhancing powder can also serve as a substitute.