

“Shake it off”: Two in five Australians think salt is heart-healthy, data says
Media release - 4 March 2021
The Heart Foundation is urging Australians to “shake-off” the salt in their diets as too many people still believe it can be part of heart-healthy eating.
The research surveyed more than 1000 Australian adults and found two in five (40%) agreed salt is OK to flavour foods in heart-healthy eating, with a further 29 per cent who were uncertain.
And in recent HeartWatch data, worryingly, just two in five people (41%) were aware that poor diet increases their risks for heart disease, with males and people aged 45 or over, less likely to be aware of this risk (both 39%).
Ahead of World Salt Awareness Week (8-14 March), Heart Foundation dietitian Sian Armstrong said it was concerning that people believed salt was ok in heart-healthy eating. She warned that regularly consuming too much salt can lead to high blood pressure.
“High blood pressure is known as a silent killer because there are no obvious signs or symptoms that you have it, but it can put you at higher risk of a heart attack or stroke. As people get older, it can increase over time,” Ms Armstrong said.
"The good news is high blood pressure can be controlled by following a heart-healthy eating pattern that is naturally low in salt, added sugars, saturated and trans fat, together with other lifestyle changes and, if advised by your doctor, taking medication.”
The best way to manage how much salt you eat is cooking fresh, heart-healthy meals with a colourful mix of vegetables, fruits and healthy wholegrains like brown rice or wholemeal couscous. Throw in some proteins that are good for your heart like fish, seafood, beans or lentils, use healthy fats and cut back on foods with hidden salt like chips, muffins or cakes.
“You don’t need to add salt to pack a flavour punch in healthy meals, as cooking with fresh or dried herbs, spices, citrus, garlic or black pepper adds a tasty tang to any dish.
“Our tastebuds do adjust over time to less salt in foods. And creating your own pasta sauces or salad dressings rather than using store-bought versions packed with salt is not only satisfying but also helps to reduce your salt intake.
“At the Heart Foundation, we’ve created a range of delicious, heart-healthy recipes to suit all tastes that are low in salt, easy and provide practical ideas for hard-working, busy people.”
This World Salt Awareness Week, Ms Armstrong urged people to “put away the salt shaker, channel your inner Jamie Oliver and get creative in the kitchen to give your heart a healthy boost.”
For heart-healthy recipes that pack a flavour punch but are low in salt, please visit heartfoundation.org.au or learn more about salt and heart health at heartfoundation.org.au/Heart-health-education/Salt-and-heart-health
Media enquiries
Debora McInnes, Senior Media Advisor - Nutrition
M: 0423 827 697 E: debora.mcinnes@heartfoundation.org.au
About the Heart Foundation
The Heart Foundation is a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to fighting the single biggest killer of Australians – heart disease. For 60 years, it has led the battle to save lives and improve the heart health of all Australians. Its sights are set on a world where people don’t suffer or die prematurely because of heart disease.
Find out your risk of heart attack or stroke by using our Heart Age Calculator. For heart health information and support, call the Heart Foundation Helpline on 13 11 12. To find out about the Heart Foundation’s research program or to make a donation, visit www.heartfoundation.org.au
¹2019 Heart Foundation, Heart Foods Consumer Research
¹2020 Heart Foundation HeartWatch survey, December
Support for young adults: Online events
Support for young adults: Online events
Support for young adults: Online events
A series of virtual events for young adults on managing emotional wellbeing. ...
Are you at risk of heart disease?
Are you at risk of heart disease?
Are you at risk of heart disease?
There is no single cause for any one heart condition, but there are risk factors that increase your chance of developing one. ...
Support us and help save Australian hearts
Support us and help save Australian hearts
Support us and help save Australian hearts
Join the fight against Australia’s biggest killer by supporting the Heart Foundation. ...
Fundraise to save Australian hearts
Fundraise to save Australian hearts
Fundraise to save Australian hearts
Join our community of fundraisers who are committed to taking action to fight heart disease....
Heart Health Check Toolkit
Heart Health Check Toolkit
Aboriginal heart health
Aboriginal heart health
Aboriginal heart health
Visit the St Vincents Hospital NSW and Heart Foundation Aboriginal heart health website for more information...
Trek for Australian Hearts
Trek for Australian Hearts
Trek for Australian Hearts
Join the Heart Foundation in South Australia for the journey of a lifetime, trekking the ancient Flinders Ranges to help save Australian hearts....
Personal Walking Plan
Personal Walking Plan
Personal Walking Plan
Feel healthier and happier in six weeks with a free Personal Walking Plan...
Heart Foundation Recovery Support and Resources
Heart Foundation Recovery Support and Resources
Heart Foundation Recovery Support and Resources
Heart Foundation programs and resources to support your recovery....
Automated Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator (ICD or AICD)
Automated Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator (ICD or AICD)
This is a device inserted into your chest to return abnormal heart rhythms to normal using electrical impulses. ...
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Training Centre
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Training Centre
Training to support identification of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients, in line with standard practice....
Moroccan chickpea tagine
Moroccan chickpea tagine
Keeping your heart healthy
Keeping your heart healthy
Keeping your heart healthy
Keeping your heart healthy is something you can work on every day. ...
Atrial fibrillation resources for patients
Atrial fibrillation resources for patients
Coronary Artery Calcium Score
Coronary Artery Calcium Score
A Coronary Artery Calcium Score or CT Calcium test can be used to estimate your risk of heart attack or stroke....
Women and heart disease
Women and heart disease
Women and heart disease
Every day, 22 women lose their lives to this condition....
Get started with more physical activity
Get started with more physical activity
Get started with more physical activity
Finding time for physical activity is one of the best things you can do for your heart...
Kylie defied the heart attack stereotypes
Kylie defied the heart attack stereotypes
Kylie defied the heart attack stereotypes
Cardiac rehabilitation was a turning point for Kylie and essential to her heart failure recovery....
Life changing research currently underway
Life changing research currently underway
Life changing research currently underway
Search our current researcher's and the ground breaking research being undertaken....
Action Plans
Action Plans
Action Plans
Recovery is a long journey, so having a plan makes a huge difference. Using an action plan gives you a step-by-step guide to improving your lifestyle....
Join Kate in making a difference to future generations
Join Kate in making a difference to future generations
Join Kate in making a difference to future generations
Kate wanted to find a way she could make a difference to future generations...
Healthy Food Access Tasmania
Healthy Food Access Tasmania
Healthy Food Access Tasmania
We've been working on several projects with local governments across Tasmania, big and small....
Absolute CVD risk clinical guidelines
Absolute CVD risk clinical guidelines
The Absolute Cardiovascular Disease Risk (CVD) Guidelines helps healthcare professionals identify, prevent and manage a person's risk of developing CVD. ...
Heart failure resources for patients
Heart failure resources for patients
Educate your patients on everything they need to know about heart failure and managing their condition. ...
Blood pressure and your heart
Blood pressure and your heart
Blood pressure and your heart
Understand blood pressure and how it can impact your heart health....
Salad recipes
Salad recipes
Salad recipes
Search through our tasty salad recipes...
Health professional online learning
Health professional online learning
We offer a number of modules focused on improving cardiovascular care....
Workplace giving for employees
Workplace giving for employees
Workplace giving for employees
Your employer’s workplace giving program makes it easy to setup regular, tax-deductible donations from your pre-tax income. ...
Our history
Our history
Our history
For more than 60 years the Heart Foundation has been helping improve heart health across the nation....
Active Living NSW
Active Living NSW
Active Living NSW
Active Living NSW supports physical activity and healthy built environments in NSW ...