If you have heart disease, this is a reminder to cut down on your sodium.

A study found that a majority of people with heart disease are consuming twice the recommended daily amount.

Dr. Luke Laffin, a preventive cardiologist with the Cleveland Clinic, was not part of the study, but said it is important to check the labels on their food.

“Every patient that I talk with about sodium, the first thing they’re going to tell me is, ‘Doc, I never add salt to my food. But it’s important to understand that less than 5% of the sodium that we ingest, on average, is from the saltshaker. The majority of sodium is already in the food that we eat.”

The American Heart Association recommends no more than 1,500 milligrams per day.

Dr. Laffin explains that consuming too much sodium can put a person with heart disease at risk from other cardiovascular complications.  For example, it can raise blood pressure, which in turn can damage their blood vessels and force the heart to work harder.

Too much sodium can also cause your body to retain fluid.

Dr. Laffin said it’s best to stick with a low-sodium diet.

If you really need table salt, consider using an alternative such as potassium chloride, which is found in pretty much any grocery store.

The study also compared sodium intake among multiple socioeconomic groups and didn’t find any significant differences.