You’re counting calories. You select low-fat options at the grocery store. You’ve cut down on sugar. You’re watching out for cholesterol and carbs. You probably feel like you can’t fit another dietary restriction into your lifestyle – but the risk of too much sodium isn’t just weight gain. A salty diet often results in cardiovascular problems and other health concerns that can turn fatal.

Cardiovascular Complications
A diet oversaturated in sodium can wreak havoc on your arteries. Excess sodium will cause your blood pressure to rise, ultimately leaving your arteries hardened, thick, and prone to clots. Heart attacks and strokes are common complications that many patients could avoid if they watch their sodium intake.

High blood pressure will also affect your blood vessels, such as the ones running through your eyes or kidneys. When these vessels become thick and narrow, you could suffer from kidney failure or vision loss. Problems with your blood vessels may also result in an aneurysm. Limited blood flow in a weakened vessel could create a bulge that eventually ruptures, creating a life-threatening situation.

Don’t assume that a low blood pressure reading means your high-sodium diet isn’t affecting you. According to the Huffington Post, even if a sodium-filled diet does not result in high blood pressure, there is still a correlation between high salt intake and cardiovascular problems.

A Weakened Metabolism
A high-sodium diet can create several problems with your metabolism, commonly leading to weight gain, infertility, mood swings, or diabetes. Some untreated metabolism disorders can also lead to stroke or heart disease.

Stomach Problems
Salt can react harshly against your digestive system. Patients who consume too much sodium often find themselves struggling with chronic stomach ulcers, and in extreme cases too much salt has been linked with gastric cancer.

Compromised Mental Abilities
Extremely high blood pressure will weaken your mental facilities, causing patients to experience neurological symptoms such as memory loss. If you find yourself struggling to learn new material or adapt new habits, an excess of sodium may be to blame. Those with low-sodium diets often report better brain clarity and sharper mental abilities.

If you have questions about your diet, the team at Plantation General Hospital can help. Just call our free Consult-A-Nurse® service at 1-866-442-2362. A healthcare professional can help you determine healthy sodium levels that will protect you from high blood pressure, digestive problems, and other health concerns.

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