The article presents a selective review on the most important works on the salt intake in various regions of the world, including the Russian Federation (the new information). The mean level of sodium intake in the world and the data on the critical meaningful level of salt consumption, the excess of which has a negative impact on cardiovascular health is presented. Scientific data on the effect on high salt intake on the risk of cardiovascular disease in general and hypertension in particular is summarized in the article. There has been considered the accessible international information on the effect of high sodium intake on mortality. The strategic approach to the formation of socially significant policy for sodium intake is generalized.