How following proper salt intake guidelines can prevent over 2.5 million deaths per year caused due to heart diseases

World Heart Day is taken very seriously across the world. It is the largest global awareness and advocacy campaign on heart disease and stroke, reaching almost 2 billion people in over 120 countries through organised events and media outreach.

On the occasion of World Heart Day 2014, the World Health Organization is reiterating the need to reduce the consumption of salt, which is linked to approximately 2.5 million people dying annually from cardiovascular diseases.

The theme of this year’s World Heart Day — Heart Choices NOT Hard Choices — positions the benefits of reducing salt consumption, particularly in terms of improving health and reducing avoidable deaths from heart cardiovascular diseases.

This is particularly relevant for India, because we love our savouries and our food. We are also a diabetic and hypertensive nation — the explosion of hypertension in the country is higher than diabetes — a new reality. Today, the number of Indians suffering from heart diseases is on a steady rise.

A recent study presented at the World Heart Federation’s World Congress of Cardiology this year, reinstated the seriousness of the adversities of consuming excessive salt. Statistics show — out of 17.3 million CVD related deaths each year, over half of them — 9.4 million — are linked to hypertension. 

Whats happening around the world

A recent research analyzing populations across 187 countries stated 1.7 million deaths occur in the world due to the intake of too much salt in the diet. India is one of the countries that rank high on the list of countries with excess salt consumption.

The situation is doubly serious because people with Type 2 diabetics who have more salt in their foods face double the risk of heart problems.

Though conventional healthcare experts have been recommending strict salt consumption since the 1970s, not much has been done in that sphere. But with the alarming figures being a reality today, many nations are contemplating the implementation of national targets.

Reduction in salt intake is not possible without legal restrictions and policy changes. Take for instance, South Africa – in 2013, legislation passed to place mandatory maximum levels for salt in bread and other common processed foods. The government set targets to reduce salt intake to less than 5gms a day per person by 2020. They implemented this by regulating the food industry and spreading the message – Banish that salt shaker from the dinner table.

The India story

In a country like India where our culture promotes oily foods, pickles, papad, etc., we need to be far more cautious and strict with our diet.

Considering that one in every four Indian adults suffers from high blood pressure, one can deduce how serious the problem is in our country. Ideally, adults should not have more than 5 gms of salt a day. This is less than one full teaspoon.

However, in most countries, the average person consumes between 9 gms and 12 gms a day. The majority of salt we eat is already in our food, with an estimated 75% of our salt intake in everyday processed foods such as bread, breakfast cereal and processed meats.

Significantly, four of every 5 sodium-associated deaths from cardiovascular causes happen in low-income and middle-income countries. It is imperative hence that this strata of the society be informed and educated. One of the novel ways to educate the Indian population — like it is being followed in many countries — is making useful ‘edutainment’ apps.

Technology as an enabler

If people were aware of how much salt was hidden in foods and if they adhered to the current salt intake guidelines, more than 2.5 million deaths could be prevented each year.

About 75% of the world’s population uses a mobile phone today. Statistics show there is a surge in the uptake of apps focused on education and information rather than entertainment alone. By sending them informative and educative information, people will realize the importance of consuming less salt in their foods.

A research funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation stated that excess salt intake is equivalent to tobacco intake in terms of human disease and death.

Hence, I’d like to emphasize that this World Heart Day, we call on individuals and communities to advocate for heart-healthy environments, and for governments to champion and implement policies in these areas- and do things within our reach, on a daily basis- reduce the consumption of salt to protect not only their own heart health, but to instigate change at a community and societal level as well.