Excess dietary salt is notorious for increasing blood pressure –
blood volume increases, placing more stress on blood vessel
walls. This forces the heart to pump harder against the
pressure, and also structural changes that harden the vessel
wall (this hardening is called stenosis) occur in response to
these high pressures. About one-third of all American adults and
over 50% of those over the age of 55 have hypertension, and
hypertension carries significant risks. Elevated blood pressure
accounts for 62% of strokes and 49% of coronary heart disease.
Notably, the risk for heart attack and stroke begins climbing
with systolic pressures (first number in the blood pressure
reading) above 115 mm Hg – considered “normal” by most
standards. Also, dietary salt is not only dangerous to the
cardiovascular system, but also contributes to kidney disease,
osteoporosis , ulcers, and stomach cancer.  There is new
evidence that excess dietary sodium intake promotes
atherosclerotic plaque development and heart disease, even