Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, May 17: On World Hypertension Day, the Doctors Association Kashmir (DAK) today urged people in Kashmir to reduce salt intake to prevent high blood pressure, also known as hypertension.
In a statement issued here, DAK President Dr Nisar ul Hassan said that reducing salt intake would help reduce the burden of hypertension in the population.
Dr Nisar said a large meta-analysis of 34 trials showed that a modest reduction in salt intake for four or more weeks causes a significant fall in blood pressure in both hypertensive and normotensive individuals. “These results support a reduction in population salt intake, which will keep hypertension at bay.”
He said the World Health Organization (WHO) recommends consuming less than 5 grams of salt per day, while noting that in Kashmir, salt intake is double, nearly 11 grams per day.
“People add a high salt content to food during preparation. Traditional Nun Chai (Kashmiri salted tea) adds to the burden. Processed and packaged foods, whose use has become more widespread in recent years, contain high levels of salt,” he said.
The DAK president said salt is the leading risk factor for high blood pressure, which affects one in three people in Kashmir. “Hypertension increases the risk of heart attacks and strokes, the two leading causes of death and disability in the valley,” he said.
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