ABSTRACT Objectives: to analyze the scientific production about sodium restriction in patients with heart failure. Methods: integrative literature review from articles published from 2007 to 2017, located in the CINAHL and Scopus databases. Results: thirteen studies were analyzed. Sodium intake restriction was associated with lower unfavorable clinical outcomes in patients with marked symptomatology. The 24-hour urine sodium dosage was the main tool to assess adherence to the low sodium diet. Conclusions: based on the studies included in this review, in symptomatic patients, dietary sodium restriction should be encouraged in clinical practice as a protective measure for health. However, in asymptomatic patients, it should be well studied.