Living with Narcolepsy
Consider your heart health when managing
your narcolepsy
People with narcolepsy are at a greater risk of cardiovascular comorbidities compared to people without narcolepsy
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- *Based on an analysis of 9312 people with narcolepsy and 46,559 people without narcolepsy matched by age, sex, geographic region, and payer who had continuous insurance coverage between the years of 2006 and 2010.
- †Based on an interview study of 320 people with narcolepsy compared to 1464 people without narcolepsy matched for age, sex, and body mass index.
- ‡Odds ratio
Too much sodium intake may increase the chances of cardiovascular disease
While sodium typically comes from what you eat and drink, it can also come from certain medications
About 9 out of 10 Americans consume
too much sodium*
Sodium intake is a modifiable risk factor
For most adults, reducing excess sodium intake by 1000 mg per day can help reduce the risk for high blood pressure, heart diseases, and stroke.
*According to a survey by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 89% of adults in the US aged 19 years and older consume more than the limit of 2300 mg of dietary sodium per day, as recommended by the US Department of Health and Human Services and US Department of Agriculture in the 2015-2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans.
Other factors may also increase the risk of cardiovascular conditions
For example, some risk factors for cardiovascular disease are "modifiable."
That means you may be able to address them through lifestyle changes. These changes include:

Monitoring sodium is important to me because too much sodium can increase the risk of cardiovascular disease. And I know that in general, I have a higher risk for cardiovascular disease since I have narcolepsy. I also have a family history of hypertension.”
Grace
Diagnosed with narcolepsy type 1.
Talk to your doctor about all aspects of your health
When creating a narcolepsy management plan with your doctor, be sure to discuss all aspects of your overall health.
Tips include:
Discuss your exercise habits and lifestyle.
Ask about your diet, including sodium consumption.
Talk about other conditions you may have or may be at risk for.