1. < Heart & Blood Health

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.

mzhp1988 | @mzhp1988 | Mar 3, 2019
In reply to @danab "@lioness ah one of my weakness i love a good steak or prime rib but like..." + (show)
@danab

@lioness ah one of my weakness i love a good steak or prime rib but like my dr also said i limit it to occasionally. No red meat but at the most once a week. But my Wife does not like red meat so we mostly eat turkey chicken and pork. I save the steak usually when we eat out and well done like the drs require. I used to be a medium rare type of guy but no more

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Why do Drs recommend only well-done beef?

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2 replies
scardycat | @scardycat | Mar 3, 2019
In reply to @mzhp1988 "Did you know that margarine was invented as a supplement to feed turkeys to make them..." + (show)
@mzhp1988

Did you know that margarine was invented as a supplement to feed turkeys to make them gain weight faster?

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I know but my cardiologist stands by light margarine🙄rather than butter

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1 reply
lioness | @lioness | Mar 3, 2019
In reply to @danab "@lioness oh im no spring chicken well maybe my new heart is. But im 60 this..." + (show)
@danab

@lioness oh im no spring chicken well maybe my new heart is. But im 60 this month the proud papa to 5 kids and 12 grandchildren so far 2 of them are not parents yet.

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@danab yes your are when your 76 lol

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lioness | @lioness | Mar 3, 2019
In reply to @mzhp1988 "Why do Drs recommend only well-done beef?" + (show)
@mzhp1988

Why do Drs recommend only well-done beef?

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@mxhp1988 It cooks out the fat and the fat is bad for you arteries for one thing .

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1 reply
Harriet Hodgson | @harriethodgson1 | Mar 3, 2019
In reply to @mzhp1988 "Why do Drs recommend only well-done beef?" + (show)
@mzhp1988

Why do Drs recommend only well-done beef?

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Red, raw beef can cause toxic poisoning that can kill you.

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lioness | @lioness | Mar 3, 2019
In reply to @scardycat "I know but my cardiologist stands by light margarine🙄rather than butter" + (show)
@scardycat

I know but my cardiologist stands by light margarine🙄rather than butter

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scardycat Margarine is made from stuff that plastic is made from I don't want to eat plastic

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1 reply
scardycat | @scardycat | Mar 3, 2019
In reply to @lioness "scardycat Margarine is made from stuff that plastic is made from I don't want to eat..." + (show)
@lioness

scardycat Margarine is made from stuff that plastic is made from I don't want to eat plastic

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I hear ya but my cardiologist still says butter is not good?!! Do you use butter?

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2 replies
Mentor
Rosemary, Volunteer Mentor | @rosemarya | Mar 3, 2019

I try to restrict my sodium intake as part of a heart healthy diet that I am encouraged to follow due to liver and kidney transplant. I avoid salty snacks, and I do not add salt to foods during preparation or when served. I avoid heavy sauces and pre made foods that are high in sodium by reading the labels. I check the labels, and when I have a decision, I try to choose the one lower in sodium.
My own plan that works for me is moderation.

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1 reply
lioness | @lioness | Mar 3, 2019
In reply to @scardycat "I hear ya but my cardiologist still says butter is not good?!! Do you use butter?" + (show)
@scardycat

I hear ya but my cardiologist still says butter is not good?!! Do you use butter?

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@scardycat Hi yes I do I use Irish butter Kerrygold. ON toast mostly once a day Hasn't hurt me yet by pass is 22 yrs old Echo last year all a.o.k.

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lioness | @lioness | Mar 3, 2019
In reply to @rosemarya "I try to restrict my sodium intake as part of a heart healthy diet that I..." + (show)
@rosemarya

I try to restrict my sodium intake as part of a heart healthy diet that I am encouraged to follow due to liver and kidney transplant. I avoid salty snacks, and I do not add salt to foods during preparation or when served. I avoid heavy sauces and pre made foods that are high in sodium by reading the labels. I check the labels, and when I have a decision, I try to choose the one lower in sodium.
My own plan that works for me is moderation.

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@rosemarya I think when we overdue anything that's when we get into trouble You have to ,be your own health advocate in everything from Dr.s meds, to food I think . To much food has a lot of salt in it ,sugar in it, fat in it, so we need to read labels those that don't are in for trouble I say

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