How Much Sodium Per Day with High Blood Pressure?

Though the amount of sodium people with high blood pressure should consume daily varies, general recommendations suggest no more than 1,500 milligrams for adults. This article explains how much sodium per day you should consume if you have high blood pressure and who may benefit from limiting sodium and salt.

It also discusses the benefits and effectiveness of limiting salt for high blood pressure and advice for limiting sodium. It also answers some frequently asked questions about how much sodium per day with high blood pressure.

The American Heart Association (AHA) recommends an absolute limit of 2,300 milligrams Trusted Source American Heart Association Highly respected national organization Go to source (mg) of sodium daily for most adults. That is about 1 teaspoon of standard table salt. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) also recommends Trusted Source Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Governmental authority Go to source this maximum daily dose of sodium for people over 14 years old.

However, the AHA notes that ideally, the limit should be a maximum of 1,500 mg of sodium a day. The AHA recommends the amount for most adults, particularly those with high blood pressure.

Maximum levels of sodium for children include Trusted Source Dietary Guidelines for Americans (USDA) Governmental authority Go to source :

However, as the AHA recommends less than 1,500 mg for adults, children may benefit from an even lower level than these values.

When you consume salt, your kidneys regulate how much sodium remains in the body. If you consume too much, the kidneys cannot remove Trusted Source PubMed Central Highly respected database from the National Institutes of Health Go to source it, and sodium accumulates in the blood, increasing blood pressure.

The jump in blood pressure can also increase Trusted Source American Heart Association Highly respected national organization Go to source the risk of additional cardiovascular diseases and conditions such as:

• enlarged heart muscle
• stroke
• heart failure
• headaches
• osteoporosis
• stomach cancer
• kidney stones
• increased water retention resulting in weight gain, bloating, and puffiness

Read more about the complications of high blood pressure.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about 90% Trusted Source Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Governmental authority Go to source of people in the United States 2 years old and older consume too much sodium. Most people, including children, could benefit from limiting sodium consumption to the recommended intake or less.

Understanding how your dietary habits compare with recommendations offers valuable insight into how much you’re consuming, even if you think your sodium intake is fine. You may not know whether you are consuming too much.

Limiting salt consumption is particularly important for:

• anyone with high blood pressure or at risk of developing it
• people at risk of or already with the following conditions:
  • cardiovascular disease
  • diabetes
  • kidney disease

Learn more about the risk factors for high blood pressure and cardiovascular disease.

A low amount of sodium does occur naturally in food. However, you can significantly reduce your daily sodium intake by controlling how much added salt you eat.

Amounts of salt don’t equally relate Trusted Source American Heart Association Highly respected national organization Go to source to amounts of sodium. This is because the salt used in food and table salt products contains different concentrations of sodium.

For example, table salt is around 40% sodium. As a result, 1,500 mg of sodium does not equal 1,500 mg of salt — 1,500 mg of sodium is around 1 teaspoon of table salt.

However, the AHA suggests that as much as 75% Trusted Source American Heart Association Highly respected national organization Go to source of sodium comes from processed or preprepared foods and canned goods rather than table salt. So one of the most important factors in limiting salt is monitoring how much sodium you consume from packaged foods.

You can do this by checking the nutritional labels on food products. Sodium may be listed as “sodium” or “soda.”

Other tips to reduce sodium include:

• not eating more than the suggested serving size of preprepared or processed food
• limiting the use of preprepared foods, ingredients, and drinks
• prioritizing other foods, such as whole grains, fresh fruits and vegetables, and fresh meat and animal products
• not adding table salt during cooking nor adding it to food before eating
• using spices and herbs to flavor food
• rinsing canned foods such as vegetables and tuna before eating
• looking for foods labeled as “low in sodium” or “reduced sodium,” particularly on:
  • broths and soups
  • sauces
  • canned foods
  • preprepared meals

Contact a doctor before making significant dietary changes or questions about diet and health.

According to the AHA, reducing sodium intake by 1,000 mg Trusted Source American Heart Association Highly respected national organization Go to source daily improves blood pressure and heart health.

Researchers also support this, suggesting that reducing sodium intake can:

• decrease blood pressure
• decrease the likelihood of developing hypertension
• reduce the risk of other cardiovascular conditions
• reduce the risk of dying from cardiovascular conditions

However, the positive effects can diminish Trusted Source PubMed Central Highly respected database from the National Institutes of Health Go to source when people don’t stick with a limited-sodium diet. Maintaining a low sodium approach over time may result in long-term benefits.

According to a 2019 review, reducing your sodium intake modestly may significantly reduce blood pressure in as little as 4 weeks Trusted Source PubMed Central Highly respected database from the National Institutes of Health Go to source . This is true for people with and without hypertension.

Jerlyn Jones, M.S., M.P.A., R.D.N., L.D., C.L.T., has reviewed the following frequently asked questions.

Research suggests that excessive sodium consumption of 5,000 mg or more a day may cause high blood pressure.

However, this can depend on individual factors, such as your age, underlying health, and whether you are at risk of high blood pressure. As a result, the amount may be much lower for some people.

Sea salt and kosher salt are often considered healthier alternatives to table salt. However, these salts contain the same amount of sodium as regular table salt. Himalayan pink salt can contain less sodium Trusted Source PubMed Central Highly respected database from the National Institutes of Health Go to source , but adding it to food can still contribute to high blood pressure.

Consider reducing sodium intake from all sources and types of salt.

The AHA recommends that most adults consume no more than 1,500 mg of sodium daily, including those with high blood pressure.

However, most adults and children in the U.S. consume more sodium than recommended. Most people could benefit from limiting their sodium intake.

Limiting salt includes reducing the consumption of preprepared foods, checking food labels, and choosing low sodium dietary options.