Sodium is found in surprising places. Many processed foods -- even those that do not taste salty -- can contain surprisingly high levels of sodium. From breakfast cereals to condiments, candy to prepared mixes and canned goods, if you are not aware, you may be taking in significantly more sodium than you realize.

Sodium restriction is only part of the equation for healthy, normal blood pressure. High levels of sodium found in salt can raise blood pressure. For about one third of the population, small increases in salt intake can result in a large increase in blood pressure, but for others, the effect of salt may be sufficient to create heart disease risks that require drugs. Even a small increase in blood pressure can accelerate development of plaque in the arteries.

Research Updates

February 2011:  People who consumed more than 4000 mg per day of sodium had more than double the risk of stroke compared with those who consumed less than 1500 mg 

The risk of stroke increased 16% for every 500 mg/day of sodium consumed after adjustment for age, sex, race and ethnicity, education, alcohol use, exercise, daily caloric intake, smoking, diabetes, cholesterol, blood pressure, and previous heart disease.

The message:  It's clear that small changes in diet can make a huge difference in terms of stroke risk.

Gardener H, Rundek T, Wright C, et al. Dietary sodium intake is a risk factor for incident ischemic stroke: The Northern Manhattan Study (NOMAS). International Stroke Conference 2011; February 9, 2011; Los Angeles, CA. Abstract 25.