A Little Less Salt

by Kathryn Schleich

A little less salt may improve your health and a whole lot more. In a report concluding Americans can obtain serious health benefits by lowering their salt intake by even a little amount, the New England Journal of Medicine reports a reduction in heart attacks, heart disease, and strokes by as much as reductions in smoking, obesity, and cholesterol levels.

If Americans consumed a half a teaspoon less of salt each day, there would be 60,000 to 120,000 fewer cases of coronary heart disease each year; 54,000 to 99,000 fewer heart attacks; 32,000 to 66,000 fewer strokes; and 44,000 to 92,000 fewer deaths according to the study, which was conducted by researchers on both coasts at the University California, San Francisco; Stanford University Medical Center, and the Columbia University Medical Center in New York.

Familiarize yourself with the symptoms of angina and know what to do. Some of the most common symptoms of angina are listed here. Shortness of breath is difficult or labored breathing which lasts more than 15 minutes. A rapid heart rate, palpitations, or irregular pulse is a pounding, skipping, or fluttering sensation of the heart that again lasts more than 15 minutes. Other symptoms some people experience are dizziness, or a feeling of lightheadedness which lasts for more than a few minutes. If you find that you’re having an increase in perspiration or are cool and clammy to the touch with minimal activity, again call 9-1-1.

Persistent nausea or vomiting that occurs during or after exercise and are relieved with rest are again symptoms that need to be addressed. Another symptom of angina is a persistent feeling or weakness or decreased energy level, a feeling of chronic fatigue. If you experience any of these symptoms, the most important thing you can do is to stop whatever activity you’re involved in and rest. If you have been prescribed nitroglycerine, you should be familiar with how to take it and at what intervals. If, by the third dose the angina is not relieved, get emergency assistance.

How Sodium Savvy Are You?

In each pair, circle the one with the highest sodium content.

1. 5 saltines or 1 tablespoon ketchup
2. 1 cup tomato soup or 1 oz. pretzels
3. 2 slices sausage supreme pizza or 1 bratwurst
4. 1 serving instant oatmeal or 1 serving old fashioned oats
5. 1 single serving can V8 or 1 cup of skim milk

The answers are below.

1. 5 saltines equal 90 mg of salt, ketchup 190 mg
2. Tomato soup equals 730 mg of sodium, pretzels 280 mg
3. Pizza equal 670 mg of sodium, bratwuarst 820 mg
4. Instant oatmeal equals 170 mg of sodium, old fashioned oatmeal 5 mg of sodium
5. V8 juice equals 430 mg of sodium, skim milk 120 mg

For most people the quiz is a wake up call because most have guessed the items that have the least amount of sodium to possess the most. There is no grade, this is simply a tool to get you thinking about how much sodium is in foods (particularly pre-packed food) and to help you get into the habit of reading labels.

 

 

---

An avid believer in exercise and healthy eating, Kathryn Schleich experienced a serious heart attack in 2009 at the age of 51. Through that experience she has made it her mission to educate heart attack and stroke survivors, suffers of angina, and those wishing to maintain or lose weight.

You may contact her at: kathrynschlei777@yahoo.com 

Back to Articles 

 

Kathryn Schleich © 2010 
10220 Country Club Curve
Woodbury, MN 55129
kathrynschlei777@yahoo.com