Tel Aviv, May 18 -- People with higher sodium levels -- still within the normal range -- are more likely to develop high blood pressure and heart failure, but staying well-hydrated can help prevent these problems, Israeli scientists said on Sunday.

A team of researchers from Bar-Ilan University examined 20 years of electronic health records from more than 407,000 healthy adults enrolled in Leumit Healthcare Services, one of Israel's largest health providers.

Their findings, published in the peer-reviewed European Journal of Preventive Cardiology, suggest that individuals with sodium levels at the higher end of the normal range face significantly elevated risks for high blood pressure and heart failure.

Till now, the 135-146 mmol/L sodi...