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Heart Health Challenge: Mind Your Salt
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Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States for both men and women. In honor of heart month, Dr. Amy Pollak, a cardiologist at Mayo Clinic’s Florida campus, urges making small heart-healthy changes to your diet, including reducing your salt intake.
For optimal heart-health, the American Heart Association recommends consuming no more than 1,500 milligrams of sodium daily. Too much salt, says Dr. Pollak, can increase your blood pressure, in turn, increasing your risk for a heart attack or stroke.
Dr. Amy Pollak's Salt Challenge
Tips to cut salt intake:
- Check labels.
- Choose low or no-salt options of foods.
- Try a salt substitute.
- Use herbs, spices or vegetables like onions and garlics to add flavor instead of salt.
- Use a sodium tracker.
- Check out the “Sodium Breakup.”
Here are recipe make-over tips that will help you reduce sugar, salt and fat.
See an earlier Mayo Clinic Minute on monitoring salt intake.
Journalists: Broadcast quality video is available in the downloads. (TRT 1:00)
