Every 36 seconds someone dies of cardiovascular disease; this shouldn’t happen because of something as simple as salt. With more than 75 percent of consumed salt coming from processed foods, getting salt smart is necessity for healthy living and long life. By increasing your awareness and reducing salt intake, you can help lower your blood pressure and reduce your risk of cardiovascular diseases such as stroke and heart attack.

Get salt smart starting with these simple tips:

• Read nutritional labels to compare and find foods that are lower in sodium

• Choose fresh fruits and vegetables when possible

• If you must use canned fruits or vegetables, rinse them off with water prior to eating to rid excess sodium

• Limit the amount of processed foods you eat and limit your portion size

• Use fresh herbs instead of adding salt when cooking and/or eating

• When dining out, ask for your food to be prepared without salt

• Choose foods with potassium – they counter the effects of sodium and may help lower your blood pressure

• Cook your food yourself – it’s is the best way to control the amount of sodium in your diet