Sodium is an essential nutrient. But in high doses, it does more harm than good. Consuming too much sodium can lead to high blood pressure, which is the major cause of cardiovascular disease. Possible end results: heart attack or stroke. In fact, every seven minutes, someone in Canada dies from heart disease or stroke .

In addition, cardiovascular disease costs the Canadian economy $20 billion per year in preventable medical costs, lost wages, and decreased productivity, says the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada.

Don’t become a statistic: lower your risk by reducing your sodium intake. Here’s how.