Being salt tolerant vs. salt sensitive distinguishes how an individual’s blood pressure responds to the ingestion of salt. With a salt sensitivity, blood pressure increases in association with an excess intake of salt. In contrast, having a salt tolerance means blood pressure remains relatively steady during times of overabundance.
In the treatment of hypertension, determining whether you are salt tolerant vs. salt sensitive can play a role. Unfortunately, there’s no reasonable test available to make that distinction. However, if your high blood pressure decreases in response to the consumption of a low sodium diet, then this might indicate you have a salt sensitivity. And not having hypertension doesn’t guarantee you’re salt tolerant.
Salt sensitivity related hypertension can lead to cardiovascular disease, heart attack, stroke, kidney failure and insulin resistance. Yet irrespective of whether you are tolerant vs. sensitive to salt, the daily recommended intake of sodium for everyone is not to exceed 2,400 milligrams because any excess in your blood can negatively impact vascular function. As such, limiting salt consumption is in everybody’s best interest.