Sodium content in food, is it really bad?

I was asked to sample some sausages. They tasted great but left a salty aftertaste. I remarked upon this and was told the Sodium story was a falacy. What are the facts on Sodium and the heart? Does it really cause hardening of the arteries?

[anacyde]

Excess sodium leads to excess fluid volume, which in turn puts excess strain on the heart.  This raises blood pressure, which, over time, can lead to cardiovascular disease.  Indeed it is true what you hear about sodium having negative effects on the cardiovascular system.

My husband loves his salt, and has borderline high blood pressure (135/85 to 140/90).  He already has an enlarged aorta.

Whoever told you that the "salt story" was false...was a fool.  For more info, check out the American Heart Association and keyword sodium.

[atrain708]

Is there a way to test the sodium content of food? Like a dip stick test you could use on your soup or something? Thanks.

[RadioAstronomyObserver]

As with everything there are the exceptions.  My Father also loves his salt on everything yet his BP is, if I remember right, 120/60 at 76 years of age.  He does have a magnesium problem but I don't think that has anything to to with salt intake(?).

[skydnsr]

Don't know where you live, but in the US, pretty much all foods (except for raw, totally unprocessed foods) have a food label that includes the sodium content.

[ed34]

I think when it states salt on the packaging you take this as the true reading but there is also sodium listed alongside it on many products. You have to add this to the salt value, but if memory serves me right you have to double the figure stated against sodium?
I think the recommended max daily dosage for salt is 6g.