7 percent to 12 percent reduction in coronary heart disease (120,000 to 210,000) 8 percent to14 percent reduction in heart attacks (36,000 to 64,000) 5 percent to 8 percent reduction in stroke (16,000 to 28,000) 5 percent to 9 percent reduction in death from any cause (69,000 to 120,000)

About 80 percent of salt comes from processed or prepared foods - 35 percent of that in cereals, breads and pastries.

"The hidden places of salt in our diet are in breads and cereals, canned foods and condiments, and of course fast foods," said Bibbins-Domingo, also co-director of the UCSF Center for Vulnerable Populations. "Most of the salt that we eat is not from our salt shaker, but salt that is already added in food that we eat."

Pizza is the biggest culprit of salt for teens according to data from the National Center for Health Statistics.

Manufacturers should continue to reduce salt in their foods in cooperation with local, state, and federal regulatory agencies, she said. Many major companies have already joined the National Sodium Reduction initiative and have voluntarily agreed to work to lower the salt content that is already added to processed and prepared foods.

Source: American Heart Association