Water contributes approximately two-thirds of a person's body composition. Several electrolytes, including sodium, are dissolved in the water in the body. The ratio of electrolytes and water is referred to as electrolyte balance. When there are variations in this electrolyte balance, the body works hard to compensate and restore normal levels.
Sodium and Blood Pressure
An excess of sodium in the body throws off the electrolyte balance. The water in the body becomes too concentrated and, as a result, water is retained in an effort to dilute the solution. When the body is consistently exposed to high amounts of sodium, it regularly retains water. This leads to an excess amount of water in the blood, which causes an increase in blood volume. Excess blood volume makes it more difficult for the blood to move through the blood vessels. This causes the increased blood pressure on the arterial walls, or hypertension.
Blood Pressure Readings
A blood pressure reading consists of two numbers: systolic and diastolic. The systolic number is the top number in a blood pressure reading and measures the amount of pressure on the arterial walls when the heart muscle contracts. The diastolic number is the blood number in a blood pressure reading and measures the amount of pressure after the heart muscle relaxes.
Stages of Hypertension
The American Heart Association defines normal blood pressure as less than 120/80mmHg. Blood pressure that is 120/80mmHg or higher is divided into four separate blood pressure categories. Prehypertension occurs when systolic blood pressure is between 120 and 139 and diastolic pressure is between 80 and 89. The first stage of hypertension occurs when systolic blood pressure is between 140 and 159 and diastolic blood pressure is between 90 and 99. Systolic blood pressure 160 or higher and diastolic blood pressure 100 or higher is considered the second stage of hypertension. A hypertensive crisis, which requires emergency medical attention, occurs when systolic blood pressure is higher than 180 and diastolic blood pressure is lower than 110.
Sodium Restriction
The normal recommended sodium intake for a healthy adult is no more than 2,400mg per day, notes MayoClinic.com. If you are in any stages of high blood pressure, the recommendation drops to 1,500mg per day. Although the upper limit is 1,500mg, it is recommended to avoid sodium as much as possible.
In addition to added salt, it is important to avoid processed foods, frozen foods and canned foods, as these items usually contain a lot of sodium.
Considerations
If left uncontrolled, high blood pressure can damage the walls of the arteries as well as put excess pressure on the heart. This can lead to heart attack, stroke, aneurysm and heart failure. High blood pressure can also lead to thickened or torn blood vessels in the eye, which can cause loss of vision, according to MayoClinic.com.
