Studies by doctors show that on average people are consuming up to two grams more sodium per day than is internationally recommended — increasing their risk of developing high blood pressure (BP), which leads to heart disease, stroke, kidney disease and diabetes.

High salt intake is estimated to be the cause of around one third of hypertension cases, worldwide. The World Health Organization recommends an average daily intake of five grams of salt per day. However, in the Gulf the average intake of dietary salt is estimated to be around seven grams per day, according to medical experts.

This high intake of dietary salt has been linked to an increase in consumption of fast food and pre-packaged meals over recent years. These foods not only contain high levels of fat but also high levels of sodium (salt).

Hypertension was in focus recently at a three-day conference held with the support of Jeddah Gov. Prince Mishaal. It was aimed at raising the awareness of hypertension, which is spreading rapidly across the Kingdom. Hypertension is common in societies, which are moving from a traditional to modern lifestyle. “Changing lifestyles, particularly during a time of economic turmoil, is forcing people to change what they eat and how they live radically,” according to Dr. Abdul Hameed Gashgari, consultant internal medicine and diabetes and endocrinological diseases at Saudi German Hospital.

Hypertension, diabetes and high cholesterol are all related to each other and they can affect a person together. Obesity can be a cause of one of these three problems or genetic disposition, made much worse by an unhealthy lifestyle, he says. He adds that hypertension is officially recognized when a person’s blood pressure increases to 140 mm systolic or 90 mm or more in diastolic. The ideal BP count for a hypertension is 120/80, or 110/70 as some new researchers say.

“Medical estimates put the average consumption of salt in the Kingdom at seven grams per day, which is significantly higher than internationally recommended levels. The need to cut dietary salt is an issue that we urgently need to highlight in the Gulf as more people adopt Western lifestyles, which involves an increase in the consumption of packaged, restaurant and fast foods that contain high levels of sodium,” says Dr. Wael Almahmeed, a cardiologist at Sheikh Khalifa Medical City, Abu Dhabi, and president of Emirates Cardiac Society (ECS).

“Too much dietary salt is a major risk factor for developing hypertension, but people can lower this risk by not adding salt to their food. Hypertension increases the risk of developing stroke, heart disease, in the form of heart attacks and heart failure, and kidney problems, which if left untreated can lead to kidney failure and the need for dialysis, as well as possible loss of sight,” added Dr. Arif Al-Mulla, head of cardiology at Dubai Hospital.

Prevalence data cited by Saudi doctors suggests that up to 30 percent of the country’s population over the age of 18 suffer from high BP, which is known as the ‘silent killer’, because it has no obvious symptoms but increases the risk of developing heart disease, stroke, kidney disease and diabetes, all of which reduce life expectancy.

“Because of modern lifestyles, which involve eating more fast foods that contain high levels of salt, our children are at a higher risk of high blood pressure at an early age. People should have their BP checked annually and even more regularly if they suffer from obesity, stress and a family history of the disease, which puts you at an even higher risk of developing hypertension,” says Dr. Abdulla Shehab, director of continuing medical education for the ECS, and the faculty of medicine at UAE University, Al Ain. Thousands of local and other Gulf residents have undergone BP screening and education in the past few weeks at various events held at hospitals, private companies and shopping malls across the country, with the support of Novartis, the global sponsors of this year’s World Hypertension Day. “Globally about seven million people die every year because of high blood pressure, often simply because they were not diagnosed early enough. This is why Novartis is dedicated to raising public awareness of hypertension and ensuring that people are screened, diagnosed and treated as soon possible, to help prevent the onset of chronic diseases that claim lives,” said Dr. Ahmed Amin, medical director, Novartis Middle East.

According to the American Heart Association (AHA), many people have high BP and don’t know it. Studies show that every fifth American suffers from BP. Important complications of uncontrolled or poorly treated high BP include heart attack, congestive heart failure, stroke, kidney failure, peripheral artery disease, and aortic aneurysms (weakening of the wall of the aorta, leading to widening or ballooning of the aorta). Public awareness of these dangers has increased. High BP has become the second most common reason for medical office visits in the United States. The AHA has recommended guidelines to define normal and high blood pressure. Normal blood pressure less than 120/80, Pre-hypertension 120-139/ 80-89, High blood pressure (stage 1) 140-159/90-99, High blood pressure (stage 2) higher than 160/100.

Uncontrolled high BP may be responsible for many cases of death and disability resulting from heart attack, stroke, and kidney failure. According to research studies, the risk of dying of a heart attack is directly linked to high BP, particularly systolic hypertension. The higher the BP, the higher is the risk. Maintaining lifelong control of hypertension decreases the future risk of complications such as heart attack and stroke.