Salty Facts – Heart Failure and Sodium

Posted by Kanaaz Pereira, Connect Moderator @kanaazpereira, Feb 25, 2019

Dietary sodium restriction is one of the most common self-care behaviors suggested to patients with heart failure. Although putting less salt on foods is a step in the right direction, it isn’t enough. There is so much hidden salt in foods that people aren't aware of – more than 75 percent of sodium Americans consume is estimated to come from processed foods – not the salt shaker. In this video, Mayo Clinic cardiologist, Dr. Farris Timimi discusses ways patients with heart failure can more effectively control their sodium intake.

How do you monitor how much sodium you're consuming? Reducing your salt-intake can feel like a balancing act – what challenges do you face while trying to regulate sodium?

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Heart & Blood Health Support Group.

Janell, Volunteer Mentor | @jlharsh | 5 days ago

In reply to @msmarymac "I stopped eating animals 52 yrs ago, and went vegan in 2009. With that said, I..." + (show)

Hi, @msmarymac. I see you joined Mayo Clinic Connect recently. It’s nice to “meet” you.

I try not to use much salt either. I found a Kirkland Organic No-Salt Seasoning at Costco. It is tasty, and I haven’t figured out a reason why I shouldn’t be using it.

I am curious if you don’t mind sharing, what is your motivation behind watching your salt intake?

msmarymac | @msmarymac | 4 days ago

In reply to @jlharsh "Hi, @msmarymac. I see you joined Mayo Clinic Connect recently. It’s nice to “meet” you. I..." + (show)

@jlharsh
It is nice to meet you too Janell, and thank you for being a monitor. Thank you also for the tip on the alternet seasoning. I will see if I can get on Amazon, I live in a small town and just sold my car, Cosco is at least an hour away. I have to watch my salt intake because I bloat like a blow fish, and my tounge gets dried up. Also, it's not heathy for so many reasons, but I have just been diagnoised with Bradycardia, and I'm sure salt will not help in that area.

itasarah | @itasarah | 4 days ago

In reply to @msmarymac "I stopped eating animals 52 yrs ago, and went vegan in 2009. With that said, I..." + (show)

@msmarymac I use NuSalt which is a salt substitute which is potassium chloride rather than sodium chloride. Taste like salt to me!

itasarah | @itasarah | 4 days ago

No one has ever told me to watch my salt intake. I do like salt, but I now use new salt,” which is a salt substitute made of potassium rather than sodium. Not sure it makes much difference at all, but taste the same to me.

jkb2 | @jkb2 | 4 days ago

In reply to @msmarymac "I stopped eating animals 52 yrs ago, and went vegan in 2009. With that said, I..." + (show)

@msmarymac I also like salty foods. I try to avoid and instead replace with other flavors that give a similar bite i.e. lemon. I cook everything from scratch and use a lot of spices when cooking to add to the fla
vor without using salt.

Janell, Volunteer Mentor | @jlharsh | 4 days ago

In reply to @itasarah "@msmarymac I use NuSalt which is a salt substitute which is potassium chloride rather than sodium..." + (show)

Good idea, @itasarah. NuSalt with potassium chloride sounds like it works well for you to give you that “salt” taste.

@msmarymac mentions bloating and bradycardia. I am not medically trained and learning as I navigate my own health challenges. I read bradycardia related to potassium levels so am curious about what her doctor thinks here.

Here is what Mayo Clinic says about salt substitutes:
- Mayo Clinic Minute: Are You Using A Salt Substitute?
https://newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org/discussion/3-15-ready-mayo-clinic-minute-are-you-using-a-salt-substitute/
It sounds like salt substitute (NuSalt) works for you. I am curious, and it will help msmarymac & others sort through…..why do you avoid salt? What guidance has your doctor provided?

msmarymac | @msmarymac | 4 days ago

In reply to @jlharsh "Good idea, @itasarah. NuSalt with potassium chloride sounds like it works well for you to give..." + (show)

@jlharsh
I have tried salt subsitutes before with no luck, but have not tried them all and it was many years ago. I am willing to try again with new products. I think it is the iodine in the salt that I must be craving, because when I accidentally get the salt without it, I'm miserable. I wonder if iodine is the key to the mint here. In my line of work and with cuts quickly, ya know, being an old prune and all, I use iodine on my cuts followed by triple antibiotic ointment, not Neosporin, which has animal product in it. What does the body do with iodine to make me addicted to it, and does it help or hinder my heart and conditions? I should hear more from my doctor this week and give an update.

msmarymac | @msmarymac | 4 days ago

In reply to @jkb2 "@msmarymac I also like salty foods. I try to avoid and instead replace with other flavors..." + (show)

@jkb2
Yes, like you, I am a big flavor hog.
getting many comments on my flavoring and they like the spices.
Keeping spices in my house is a joke, because they dont last long, so often have to get the commerial size containers. Yet the hot sauces do have salt. I try to get canned foods without the salt but they charge more for not adding a cheap product to it. Keeping cost down cooking for my vegan pantry is very important. I try to make salt-free, gluten-free, sugar-free products for them.

itasarah | @itasarah | 4 days ago

In reply to @itasarah "@msmarymac I use NuSalt which is a salt substitute which is potassium chloride rather than sodium..." + (show)

@itasarah I will always vote for you. I don’t need to have a membership. I got enough on my plate as it is already..

itasarah | @itasarah | 4 days ago

In reply to @jlharsh "Good idea, @itasarah. NuSalt with potassium chloride sounds like it works well for you to give..." + (show)

@jlharsh my doctor provides no info. I have never discussed salt with him. My BP is ok.

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