low sodium diet

[crystalr]

since I learned my ef had returned to 55% I have found myself not following my low sodium diet as well.I still wont add table salt to anything.Just wondering if anyone else has had this issue?

[marissar]

same here but they don't think Im in danger for no more salt than I eat. I was never a big salt eater.

[Natasha]

I was never put on a sodium restricted diet. I seldom use a salt shaker and have never added much salt to things, but since diagnosis, I have not paid particular attention to salt.

[Yvonne]

I always wonder if it is as important to watch your salt intake with a very low bloodpressure. Before I knew I had PPCM people always advised me to eat some salt because of my low BP. Now I try to avoid it as much as possible, but I'm a really crisps adict. So I have my weak moments.

[SerenaWelsh]

Yvonne,

I think the salt can lead to fluid retention, which we don't want. Otherwise, I'd try just about anything to raise my BP. In the doctor's office yesterday, mine was 87/58 - and I was happy it was so high!

[Yvonne]

Do you know what the advise is about salt intake?

I think I've read something about 2 grams a day. It will depend on the class you're in according to the NYHA-scales, I believe. Maybe someone can confirm/deny this.

[Lisa V]

I was also on a salt restriction diet and I do still watch my salt but nor as well as I used too. I am back into the habit of adding salt to my salads and some of my veggies but I am now using Kosher salt instead of regular salt. It is lower in sodium and much better tasting so you dont need as much. I do still stay away from very salty food...................

[Anny311]

I don't know specifics, but 2gm sodium is a low sodium diet, from what I remember. I think what they told me was to not eat anything that had more than 20% daily allowance at a meal.

After a year or so I asked about salt and they said I didn't need to be so restrictive but that if I really blew it I would know because i would gain weight. If we eat out, I gain 2 pounds the next day, but lose it the day after.

Anny311

[momoftwoboys]

I never retained any water during my PPCM, but did restrict my salt at first for a long time. I just thought it just wasn't really needed and chose to cut it out so I wouldn't develop problems from it later in life. I even started using a salt substitute but then found out that wasn't very safe with the meds I was taking. So, I've sort of stopped worrying about the sodium intake so much and just try to buy low-sodium foods and don't add any extra to foods. Other than that, my bp has always been on the low side too, so I don't have to worry there.

[Shannonkk]

My EF was at 20% when I was diagnosed and they did not put me on a low sodium diet...but they did take 15 lbs. of fluid off me then. Then 1 month later I was in congestive heart failure and went back into the hospital again. :( It was at that point they took another 10 lbs. of fluid off me. :eek: So they put me on a low sodium diet of 2000 mg restriction/day. It sucks but I understand why they did it. I love salt, used to salt everything I could. But know I feel like everything is bland, which helps me to continue to lose weight (which is kinda nice :p ). I have come to love Mrs. Dash!!!! ha ha

[Nails]

When my EF was up to 20-25% I eased up on my low sodium diet (it was 2000mg per day...did you know the RDA for normal, healthy people is only 2400! WOW) anyway, at my next check-up when my EF was up to 30-35% my doctor said I could ease up on my sodium restriction, which just meant I didn't have to feel guilty anymore!
(Seriously that is NOTHING next to the fluid restriction...that messed me up! haha)