It’s no news that we’re a nation of salt and sugar. Whatever makes our food taste better, right? Even without adding salts to our foods there are ridiculous amounts of sodium in everything we eat, to include children’s cereals . The soft drinks we drink are filled with sodium, that’s where the name “Soda” is derived from.  Have you ever watched employees salt the french fries at your favorite fast food restaurant? You probably don’t realize just how much salt your consuming a day.

According to a study published by MSN Health in association with Healthday.com, we (Americans) are consuming 50% more salt than we did in the 1970’s. 50 percent! That’s a ridiculous increase and obviously blood pressure is going to be a problem in this case.

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We live on a dead quiet street in suburban New Jersey…so when the flashing lights and siren sounds of an EMS vehicle, a police car and an ambulance are sitting in front of your neighbor’s house, in the middle of the night, it is shocking. In some ways it is almost life-changing.

I have a friend–a very large guy–who is, overweight, has high blood pressure and has a history of heart problems (so do some of his family members). Last night, disturbed by all of the activity, we ran outside to learn–our friend had fainted and was off to spend the night in the hospital.

As I’ve suggested, my friend is not a fit person, works non-stop, eats mostly meat–he refers to chicken as salad, consumes much wine and never exercises, except to walk his two giant dogs for about a block and a half.

When the medical vehicles left and the neighborhood went back to its silence, privately, I looked at my hubby and thought…we need to change some things. First and foremost…we both need to get to the doctor for complete check-ups.

I bring this to your attention, so that you too will make a point of making heart health a top priority. For intelligent and much more insightful information about cardio issues, please do visit Hsien at aheartylife.com

By the way, a salad from McDonald’s is not the same as visiting a produce stand.

Photo: Jonaton Kolb: Flickr.com