Question: My mother has high blood pressure and takes medication for it. But she puts salt on everything she eats — even foods that I think are already salty. She says she doesn't have to worry because of her blood pressure medicine. Should I back off?
Dr. Hibberd's answer:
Both of you are right. Some patients are not salt sensitive. It is as simple as that. Many of us are salt sensitive, and will see lower blood pressure readings by limiting salt intake to two grams daily or simply not adding any salt to our diet.
Your mother may be foolish if she is using medication to control blood pressure that could be controlled with weight management and salt intake restriction alone.
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