High blood pressure is classified by degrees. The higher your blood pressure, the greater your risk for stroke, heart disease, and kidney and eye disease. As you get older, your risk of high blood pressure increases. High blood pressure is more common in African Americans than Caucasians. Take it easy on the salt.
Sodium is a mineral found naturally in many foods.
Your body needs about 500 milligrams of sodium each day to function. Sodium helps to regulate how much fluid or water your body retains, which can, in turn, affect blood pressure. It's been shown that many people with diabetes are sensitive to sodium and could benefit from limiting the sodium in their diets. Sodium is available in abundance in the American diet. If you answered yes to these questions, your salt intake is high.