The Hidden Risks of a High Salt Diet.

A new study from Sweden has found that a high-salt diet is a risk factor for clogged arteries in the neck and heart, increasing the risk of heart attacks and strokes even if you don't have high blood pressure. The study included 10,778 adults ages 50 to 64, and the researchers measured the amount of salt found in their urine to estimate their salt consumption. The more salt people consumed, the higher their risk of calcifications in the heart and neck arteries. The findings were seen even after the researchers excluded people with high blood pressure. The study raises the possibility that salt could cause damage even before someone develops high blood pressure.