Low Sodium Levels: Anyone else have low... - British Heart Fou...

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Low Sodium Levels

FeetheBookworm profile image
13 Replies

Anyone else have low levels? And what do you do to try to improve it.

My problem is I hate the taste of salt but have been adding it (more than I like as to me it makes my food taste just of salt). We use salt in cooking as my husband has been a very heavy smoker for 50 years but has (touch wood) just managed to give by using vaping. So basically transferred one habit to another!

Hopefully as his taste buds return he will

Need less salt but this doesn’t help me trying to increase mine.

It appears that lack of salt is another thing that makes you suffer fatigue- it’s a win win situation here - or perhaps more accurately lose lose.

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FeetheBookworm
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13 Replies
Fortepiano profile image
Fortepiano

Has your cardiologist or heart failure nurse told you to increase your salt?

I only ask because my husband had low salt levels ( hyponatremia) as a consequence of his heart failure and he was always told to adhere to a low salt diet to avoid fluid overload. His hyponatremia was improved by higher drug doses and fluid restriction.

All the best and well done to your husband for giving up smoking.

FeetheBookworm profile image
FeetheBookworm in reply toFortepiano

Initially I was told to remove salt from my diet but levels went so low (and were already low anyway) I got told to add it back.

Fortepiano profile image
Fortepiano in reply toFeetheBookworm

That's fine as long as it was your cardiologist and not just the GP. Maybe phone the BHF nurse helpline?

FeetheBookworm profile image
FeetheBookworm in reply toFortepiano

Told by my HF nurse.

Fortepiano profile image
Fortepiano in reply toFeetheBookworm

Sounds good!

Zena166 profile image
Zena166

Hi I should discuss with your doctor. I don’t add any salt to any of my cooking or add it afterwards. Your doctor will be able to advise. May I suggest that rather than add salt to improve his taste try adding a variety of different herbs and spices. The obvious ones like chilli. But coriander even in a salad is delicious others like cumin and turmeric also are tasty as well as beneficial. But do talk to your doc about the salt. Take care. Zena x

Zena166 profile image
Zena166

That’s a pain. Maybe chat to the pharmacist. They may suggest something. I am always talking to them about my meds and related issues. Take care. Zena

FeetheBookworm profile image
FeetheBookworm

That’s a good idea as he is so much more helpful! He suggested some really good ointment for the sores and told me when they were infected to insist on seeing someone that day.

I still have to put special E45 cream on my face before I can put anything else on or else it burns and makes my face scarlet and then peel.

Since my teens I’ve been able to put anything on my face with no problems and about 3 months after my HF diagnosis this all started along with the minor infractions I mentioned before.

Didn't even have this during 6 months of chemo treatment apart from mouth ulcers and was violently ill after first round of chemo but the consultant oncologist tweaked it after that so I just felt awful!

Smikra profile image
Smikra

When I was in hospital rehab, they had me on a low salt diet. I am taking spironolactone and I had very low sodium levels. My doctor put me on salt tablets. He said too low sodium levels is dangerous. He told me not to go on low salt diets. Are you taking a med that could cause low sodium?

gal4God profile image
gal4God

I’ve been told to lower my salt intake. I’m feeling more awake and better in other ways cos of it.

FeetheBookworm profile image
FeetheBookworm

Should say infractions was supposed to read infections!! Just love the way predictive text changes what you write.

I feel if my HF nurse isn’t worried I shouldn’t be but if I can improve things with diet then all the better.

I’m seeing my Heart Failure Consultant next month so will ask her if anything can be tweaked.

Inamoment profile image
Inamoment

You can get salt tablets. I was fed them in hospital in case the operation needed doing again as my blood pressure is low. It went from 105 to 140. I was having quite a lot, i think 8 a day. I don't know if it is the sodium or sodium chloride that boosts blood pressure, i imagine this is zn effect you don't want

FeetheBookworm profile image
FeetheBookworm

Thanks will ask at the pharmacy

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