Too much salt can increase stroke risk

Right amount of salt is good - we can't live without it. But too much can get you in trouble, according to a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention expert quoted in a recent WebMD article:

Seven out of 10 U.S. adults get 2.3 times the healthy amount of salt. It's putting us in a world of hurt, says Darwin Labarthe, MD, PhD, director of the CDC's division for heart disease and stroke prevention.

"This is a very important message," Labarthe tells WebMD. "There is no room for debate any longer that a high level of salt causes stroke and heart disease, and that lowering salt intake will diminish these very serious health consequences."

This Stroke Awareness Month is a good time to watch out for too much salt.

(Photo from CDC)