It has become very apparent that overall, Americans are overweight and practice very poor eating habits. While diet should be considered important for everyone, Heart Failure patients need to pay strict attention to what they are eating, specifically their sodium intake.

The Reference Daily Intake (RDI), once commonly referred to as the Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA), is the amount of nutrients that The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) deems necessary to maintain a balanced diet. Most all food is labeled with nutritional information to help consumers understand what they are eating.

The RDI is based on a diet consisting of 2,000 calories per day with an allowance of 2,400 milligrams (2.4 grams) of sodium for an average healthy adult and children over 4 years old. Heart Failure patients are strongly advised to have a daily intake consisting of less than 2000 milligrams (2 grams). While the RDI is different for every Heart Failure patient, this gives you a basic guideline.

When reading about Heart Failure, the term "low sodium intake" always pops up. While many people believe that just means not picking up the salt shaker, they are unaware of just how much sodium is already in the foods they buy at the grocery; not to mention the sodium in fast food. By simply taking the time to read the Nutrition Facts on food labels, and choosing foods with lower sodium, people can drastically cut their sodium intake. (It should also be noted that the majority of fast food restaurants publish nutritional facts for their menu items). The following table explains food labels pertaining to sodium, based on a 3½ ounce serving. (See Table 1)

Table 1

Let us take note that nutrition labels break food down into serving sizes. That can be very deceiving. For example, when reading the label on a 10 ¾ oz. can of soup, it indicates the amount of sodium (along with calories, fat grams, protein, carbohydrates, fiber and cholesterol) for ONE serving. In actuality, there are 2.5 servings in most every can. So if you plan on eating the entire can of soup (which is not out of the ordinary), you have to multiply the nutritional information by 2.5.

An entire can of a popular brand of tomato soup contains 1775 milligrams of sodium (which is more than 75 percent of the RDI for Heart Failure patients). In comparison, a can of the lower sodium variety with tomato pieces contains only 120 milligrams of sodium. Big difference! A 6 ounce can of Solid White Albacore Tuna in water contains 625 milligrams of sodium. The Low Sodium variety contains just 250 total milligrams. (You can serve with a fresh whole tomato and/or cucumber which contain less that 25 milligrams of sodium combined).

If you want to eat crackers with your soup or tuna fish, check out the sodium in your saltines. One serving (about 5 crackers) of saltine crackers contain 190 milligrams of sodium (Over 10 percent of the RDI). The lower sodium variety contains only 25mgs.

Surprisingly, even the cookies or pudding that you may want for dessert contain sodium. One serving (4 ounces-½ cup) of pudding contains between 180 and 200 milligrams of sodium. While that is not much, if you are counting milligrams, they add up.

About three regular sized chocolate chip cookies contain 105 milligrams of sodium. Approximately two of a popular brand of fat free cookie cakes, contain only 25 milligrams of sodium (You may have four and still be getting less than 50% of the chocolate chip cookies sodium amount).

Remember that these examples are for just one meal. You still have two other full meals, plus snacks, to consider. Foods that contain less than 140 milligrams of sodium are considered "low in sodium," but be careful. You might eventually want to try the Very Low Sodium or Salt Free foods that are available.

You might initially dislike the taste of lower sodium products, but you can spice them up with a sodium alternative like a salt free seasoning. There are several brands and flavors on the market to choose from. According to Denise Overbey, RD, LD/N, a dietitian in Tampa, Florida, "There are sodium free alternatives for example: salt free seasonings, herbs, spices, garlic, onion or lemon juice that can add flavor to foods." Be sure to consult your physician for dietary recommendations.

Ms. Overbey adds that, "Usually foods with low sodium, low fat/cholesterol, and are high in fiber are recommended for Heart Failure patients since maintaining a healthy weight is also important. Fluids may be limited, so a patient should check with their physician for any fluid restrictions."

Consult your physician for the recommended sodium intake for yourself; but lowering your sodium intake on your own will definitely help.

And consider that once you begin to eat foods with less sodium, regular foods will begin to taste "too salty." It is just a matter of changing taste buds and habits.

Summer is fast approaching and most people are preparing their travel plans. While that can be fun and exciting, Heart Failure patients have many factors to consider. A person might feel much better after undergoing treatment for Heart Failure, but they may still need to take it easy.

The American Heart Association and the American College of Cardiology suggests that as long as there are no complications, patients who have had heart surgery, such as coronary angioplasty or coronary artery bypass grafting, should wait at least two weeks before flying.

The first step in traveling when you are a Heart Failure patient is consulting your team-meaning your physician and your surgeon. Even though you might feel fine, you will still need the thumbs up from your care givers. Flying or sitting in a car for long periods of time can take a toll on anybody, but Heart Failure patients have higher risk factors.

The actual traveling portion of a trip can be very hard on a person's circulatory system. Keeping your blood flowing freely is a constant goal for maintaining cardiac health. If you are sitting on a plane, car, or bus, your blood may not be circulating as freely as it should.

If your physician and heart surgeon have given you the go ahead for flying, you must try to make sure that your blood is circulating normally while on the plane. When flying, request an aisle seat. It will give you more freedom to stand up and walk around a bit when needed. If you can't stand up as much as you would like to at least massage your legs. Rotate your ankles and wiggle your toes. Taking these small actions will help your blood flow.

It should be noted that you will need to alert airport security of a pacemaker, metal stent, or defibrillator in place in case they require an in depth search.

If you are on a road trip, make frequent stops. Get out of your vehicle and stretch and walk around for ten minutes or so. You might be in a hurry to get to your destination, but stopping every couple of hours will not only make you feel better, it will reduce your risk of complications.

When traveling dress in layers in case you become too hot or too cold. Wear loose fitting clothing. You don't want to wear anything tight or restricting. Comfortable shoes are best, preferably something that you can slip in and out of easily. You might want to keep a pair of slippers in your car or carry on luggage.

Make sure to always drink plenty of non-alcoholic beverages while traveling. If you are driving pack a cooler with water and snacks like apples and low fat/low sodium crackers and cheese. You can also take healthy snacks on the flight in case the airline only offers salty snacks or meals high in fat. If you know that the flight includes a meal, you may request a low sodium/low fat or diabetic meal. Talk to your travel agent or ask the airline when you book the flight.

After arriving at your destination, you will still need to monitor yourself. If you are a person who exercises make sure that you find a place to workout-a hotel or local gym, a pool or somewhere safe to walk. You want to maintain your exercise regime.

Heart Failure patients generally have medications that they are required to take on a regular basis. Always keep your medications in your purse or carry-on luggage. If your luggage goes to a different destination than you do, which happens frequently, you do not want to have to scurry around finding a doctor or pharmacy. If you do happen to misplace your meds, don't panic. Call your physician's office and explain. More than likely, replacing your meds won't be very difficult.

Make sure that you have any and all paper work concerning your condition with you while traveling. Become familiar with your medications and any implanted devices such as stents or a pacemaker. Include medical or medication instructions into your carry on bag. Make a list of all of your medications-the brand name and generic names as well.

Most importantly, if at any time during your travel you feel abnormal pain or symptoms, make sure that you have located the nearest cardiac physician or hospital. If you should need to see a physician, take all of your paper work to their office or hospital.

Just remember that vacationing is supposed to be relaxing. If you will consult your physicians, take the proper precautions, and plan ahead you will be more able to relax and enjoy your trip.