Novartis Supports World Hypertension Day 2009
Too Much Salt and High Blood Pressure: Two Silent Killers
13-May-2009
For the third year running Novartis joined forces with the World Hypertension League to support World Hypertension Day on May 17 2009 in its call to action" for people to eat less salt and reduce high blood pressure – a key step towards improving world heart health.
Why Celebrate World Hypertension Day?
High blood pressure affects over 1.5 billion people around the world and excess salt raises blood pressure, which is the number one risk factor for cardiovascular disease, the number one cause of death worldwide. Simply reducing daily salt intake by half could save approximately 2.5 million people a year dying from strokes and heart attacks worldwide.
In many countries, the daily salt intake is around 12g – more than double the amount considered necessary by the World Health Organisation (WHO). Research has shown that in addition to restricting salt intake there are a number of lifestyle changes, such as taking regular exercise, maintaining a healthy weight and eating healthy foods lower in salt, which can contribute to the prevention of high blood pressure and reduction of cardiovascular risk.
What is High Blood Pressure and How Does it Affect Heart Health?
High blood pressure occurs when there is an increase in blood volume and/or blood vessels constrict, forcing the heart to work harder to pump blood to supply oxygen and nutrients to various organs in the body. Salt causes the body to retain water, with excess levels resulting in an increase in blood volume and high blood pressure. High blood pressure in turn causes hardening and thickening of blood vessels, therefore increasing the stress on the heart which has to pump blood through narrowed arteries. In some cases, this can lead to heart failure or inability of the heart to pump sufficient blood to meet the demands of the body.
"The goal of this year’s World Hypertension Day is to encourage people to think about the amount of salt in their diet and the impact of excess salt on their blood pressure. A small reduction in salt consumption can be extremely effective in reducing blood pressure and its associated cardiovascular risks, and will result in a major improvement in public health." Dr Arun Chockalingam, Secretary General of the World Hypertension League
High Blood Pressure - a Global Epidemic
High blood pressure affects over 1.5 billion people around the world and excess salt raises blood pressure.
High blood pressure is the number one risk factor for cardiovascular disease, the world’s number one cause of death worldwide.
Reducing daily salt intake by half could save approximately 2.5 million people a year dying from strokes and heart attacks worldwide.
In many countries, the daily salt intake is around 12g – more than double the amount considered necessary by the World Health Organisation (WHO).
- In addition to restricting salt intake, taking regular exercise, maintaining healthy weight and eating foods lower in salt can contribute to the prevention of high blood pressure and reduction of cardiovascular risk.
Basel Activities
To mark World Hypertension Day 2009 there are a number of activities taking place on the Novartis St. Johann Campus on Thursday, May 14, to increase awareness of the health implications of high blood pressure and the benefits to the heart of preparing and eating foods that are lower in salt.
In the main canteen there will be a special menu featuring low salt versions of popular foods Take time out to enter our "Heart Health" quiz and you could be in with a chance to win a cook book signed by one of the world’s leading and inspirational chefs!