Concerned about Salt

[WanderWonder]

My doctor said I could try taking salt tablets and include more salt in my diet. I'm considering eating more olives and other things but I don't know if I should. While I have consistent low blood pressure, high blood pressure runs in my family and causes complications for them. I don't want the risk to come back to me later in life.

Does anyone have experiences in including more salt in their diet without risks - such as using certain types of salt, have info on how much sodium a day is the average is good, or have any explanation of why upping sodium for people with POTS isn't be bad in the long run? Thanks!

[Guest KiminOrlando]

High salt is bad for normal people. We aren't normal. For me, my sodium is always low on my blood tests. What is your sodium number? For me, the sodium helps retain fluids which helps get my BP in the normal range. You could still get HBP eventually, but they will monitor you. Are you seeing a cardiologist? 

[Pistol]

@WanderWonder - I have both hypotension and hypertension and take many meds for it. I take in a lot of salt and also get IV fluids containing salt and other electrolytes weekly and more often if needed. If your doc recommends it and you are running normally low BP you should follow his recommendations. Most people here take extra salt and fluids. 

 

[WanderWonder]

@KiminOrlando

My sodium level before taking any extra sodium is 143meq/l, so on the higher end. What does that mean? No I haven't seen one because they ran a EKG and said I was normal and that I don't need to see one. I'm not going to push for it until I try a few more things because specialists here will likely tell me I'm healthy like they usually do.

@Pistol

Thanks for the info! Nuun tablets seem to help, and it has less sodium then I thought: 300mg. I also had something with lots of olives and capers in it the other day, and I felt amazing. It looks like there is about 60mg per olive, and they are healthy, so I guess it wouldn't hurt to start eating then more in moderation.

[Sushi]

I see two kinds of cardiologists—an electrophysiologist and an interventional cardiologist. The interventional cardiologist measured my blood volume (during a necessary invasive procedure)—it was low. I have neurally mediated hypotension and go into pre-syncope when standing. Both cardiologists told me to load salt and yes, it helps.

[MTRJ75]

IMO, most standard table salt probably is bad for you. Maybe not so much if you use a higher quality product (Himalayan Pink or Sea Salt).

[POTSius]

The 2nd half of this video discusses salt and POTS, an interesting watch

It discusses the importance of salt and I think it touches on your question (can't remember, saw it a few weeks ago)

Done by Dr. Satish Raj for the Dysautonomia International conference in 2018

https://vimeo.com/283559045