Too much sodium causes your body to hold on to extra water. This can raise your blood pressure and force your heart and kidneys to work harder. In very serious cases, this could cause you to be put in the hospital. It might even be life-threatening. By limiting sodium, you will feel better and lower your risk of serious problems.
The most common source of sodium is salt. People get most of the salt in their diet from canned, prepared, and packaged foods. Fast food and restaurant meals also are very high in sodium. Your doctor will probably limit your sodium to less than 2,000 milligrams (mg) a day. This limit counts all the sodium in prepared and packaged foods and any salt you add to your food.
And try to further reduce how much sodium you eat to less than 1,500 mg a day if you are 51 or older, are black, or have high blood pressure, diabetes, or chronic kidney disease.
Follow-up care is a key part of your treatment and safety. Be sure to make and go to all appointments, and call your doctor if you are having problems. It’s also a good idea to know your test results and keep a list of the medicines you take.