heart doctors near to me The danger of salt Eating less salt is very important when you have heart failure. Salt (sodium) causes your body to retain water. When your body fills up with more fluids, it’s harder for your heart to pump properly. As a result, fluid backs up in the body. That’s why it’s important not to add salt to your food. Try replacing salt with herbs and spices. This helps keep flavor in a healthier way. You should also try to avoid foods that are made with a lot of salt. Read the package labels to see how much salt is in your food. If you eat 3 meals per day, try to keep each meal between 500 mg and 1, 000 mg of salt. A few examples of foods high in salt are: Bread Soup Cheese Cured meats Ready meals Canned goods, like beans Salted nuts Salad dressings