Low sodium with Afib and heart failure

[10gingercats]

How can i improve my salt levels ?I do not think i should be loading my food with salt. Any ideas or knowledge please would be helpful.

[rosyG]

difficult question as with heart failure you have to be cautious re added salt- as I'm sure you know. Have you had kidney function checked to see if there is a reason for low salt levels?

[10gingercats in reply to rosyG]

I think all of that was covered in a pretty thorough check up in geratolgy last week with full blood counts taken.

[Finvola]

I think this is something for a consultant to address gingercats. I have lowish blood pressure and my husband has low sodium levels in his blood but no heart problems, other than my AF. We were both told to increase our salt intake, in my case by my cardiologist and to look at Omeprozole, which my husband takes, as a possible depletor of sodium.

[Desanthony in reply to Finvola]

That's interesting I take omeprazole at a low dose and have done for years. All i do when I feel I need extra hydration is to take rehydration drinks - I also have bladder and bowel problems which occassionally mean my outgoings are more than my input! Working in Florida once I was very dehydrated and felt awful and couldn't function - went to the Doc and was told to eat saltine crackers and drink gatorade until I felt better. That worked but I think if it is a continuous thing medical assistance should be sought. I wouldn't like to say take rehydration drinks like dioralyte willy nilly without you first checking with your GP.

[Hidden]

I guess the first thing to establish is whether you are salt depleted, or fluid overloaded. If your gerontologist has asked you to increase your salt intake, then working with a dietician would be a good idea.Most antidepressants are associated with hyponatraemia, you mentioned you were starting one on BHF.