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Sodium and High Blood Pressure

Topic Overview

Eating a lot of sodium (salt) is linked with high blood pressure.

Reducing salt in the diet can prevent high blood pressure in those at risk for the disease and can help control high blood pressure in elderly people.

African Americans, older adults, and people with diabetes may benefit most from lowering their dietary sodium intake.

People who are more sensitive to sodium include:

  • People with kidney disease.
  • People of African descent.
  • People with a family history of high blood pressure.
  • People over age 50.

To learn more, see:

Click here to view an Actionset.Healthy Eating: Eating Less Sodium
Click here to view an Actionset.Low-Salt Diets: Eating Out

Related Information

Credits

By Healthwise Staff
Primary Medical Reviewer Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine
Specialist Medical Reviewer Rhonda O'Brien, MS, RD, CDE - Certified Diabetes Educator
Last Revised April 11, 2012

Last Revised: April 11, 2012

Author: Healthwise Staff

Medical Review: Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine & Rhonda O'Brien, MS, RD, CDE - Certified Diabetes Educator

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