Does Higher Salt Intake Increase the Risk of Stroke?
Heavy salt intake is one of the leading risk factors for chronic illnesses such as stroke, heart disease, and kidney disease. Excess sodium elevates blood pressure. High blood pressure weakens and constricts your blood vessels, placing you at risk of a stroke. The body needs a little quantity of salt to operate properly. The sodium in the body is crucial for nerve impulse transmission, muscular contraction and relaxation, and maintaining adequate water and mineral balance. You can consult a cardiologist in Kolkata to discuss how much salt or sodium intake is good for your heart health.
High salt consumption is linked to an increased risk of stroke. Sodium in our diet is largely in the form of table salt, which can be one of the contributing causes of stroke if consumed in excess. Other processed meals, such as bread, sandwiches, hotdogs, and snacks may also be rich in salt. A stroke occurs when a portion of the brain does not get blood flow; as a result, the brain tissues do not have access to oxygen and nutrients, and the brain cells begin to die, resulting in a stroke.
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What happens to sodium in the body?
Sodium is a positive ion and one of the body’s primary electrolytes, which are minerals that we require in considerable quantities. The body needs salt to operate effectively. Sodium is involved in:
- The fluid balance in your body
- The function of nerves and muscles
The kidneys maintain the body’s salt equilibrium. When salt levels are low, the kidneys store them. When sodium levels are high, the kidneys excrete part of it in the urine.
If the kidneys cannot remove enough salt, it accumulates in the blood. Because sodium draws and retains water, blood volume increases. The heart has to work harder to pump blood, which raises artery pressure. This hard work can raise the risk of heart disease, stroke, and renal disease over time.
Some people are more sensitive to sodium’s effects than others. As a result, individuals retain salt more easily, resulting in fluid retention and elevated blood pressure.
Salt intake and stroke –
Some people consume more than double the recommended amount of salt regularly, placing them at risk of high blood pressure and, as a result, an increased risk of stroke. High blood pressure occurs when the arteries that convey blood from the heart to the rest of the body become too tense. There are certain indications of high blood pressure to look out for, which are as follows:
- Breathing difficulty
- Nausea
- Vision hazard
- Pulsation in the neck or head
- Dizziness
- Headache
According to researchers, the daily recommended quantity of salt is 5 grams or roughly one teaspoon. The more salt you drink, the more likely you are to have high blood pressure, and when your blood pressure goes considerably beyond 120/80 mmHg, which is the standard/normal blood pressure, it may quickly spiral out of control and lead to stroke.
A stroke can result in a variety of consequences. Depending on the area of the brain damaged, these issues might be temporary or permanent. They are as follows:
Paralysis – When a person has a stroke, he or she becomes paralyzed on one or both sides of the body. The person feels numb on that portion of the body and will not move it.
Pain or numbness – Anyone suffering from a stroke may experience pain or a tingling feeling on the body area that has been paralyzed due to the stroke.
Memories loss and difficulties thinking – Stroke victims frequently lose their memory. On the other hand, others have difficulty reasoning, understanding things, and making judgments, which is referred to as cognitive dysfunction.
Speech problems and swallowing difficulties – A stroke victim finds it difficult to speak, read, or even write. They also have difficulty swallowing or chewing meals.
Stoke may also cause various Other Cognitive Disabilities inpatient, so consider that less is more, especially if you’re salt sensitive. You can Consult a cardiologist in Kolkata or a nutritionist if you are unsure about the amount of sodium you should consume.
Factors help in stroke prevention –
By limiting your salt consumption, you can reduce your risks of developing high blood pressure and, as a result, your chances of having a stroke. A stroke can be avoided by obtaining and following competent medical advice and keeping a healthy lifestyle and nutrition. If you’ve had a stroke before, following precautions may help avoid a recurrence. Meanwhile, the same preventative procedures that are used to prevent heart disease are also used to prevent stroke. The following are the most important things you can take to lower your chances of having a stroke:
- Monitor your blood pressure: To lower your risks of having a stroke, you must periodically check your blood pressure and attempt to maintain normal blood pressure.
- Reduce the quantity of cholesterol in your diet: instead of eating high-fat foods, go to a low-fat/low-cholesterol diet.
- Quit smoking: To lower your chance of stroke, you must stop smoking totally.
- Reduce your alcohol consumption: excessive alcohol use puts you at risk of stroke.
- Maintain a healthy weight: Excess weight might raise your blood pressure and trigger a stroke.
- Maintain a normal and healthy blood sugar level: If you have diabetes, you should maintain a normal and healthy blood sugar level.
- Regular exercise can improve your health, help you lose weight if you’re overweight, and reduce stress. It can also keep you from having a stroke.
The patient might get high blood pressure due to a higher intake of salt, which can harm its heart health. Regular monitoring of your blood pressure level can help reduce the risk of heart disease. You can also consult a cardiologist in Kolkata if you are at risk of getting affected by heart disease. You can find the best heart specialist in Kolkata through Credihealth and schedule an appointment.
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