Moderate salt intake reduces chances of hypertension

As Nigeria joined the world to mark this year’s World Hypertension Day, moderating salt intake and regular blood pressure monitoring as advised by experts will help reduce the risk of high blood pressure and other related diseases.

Disclosing this to newsmen in Lagos, Amam Mbakwem, Associate Professor of Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Lagos said that hypertension is one subject every Nigerian should be aware of because the numbers of hypertensive patients keeps increasing daily and worse still, hypertension does not necessarily have any sign or symptom.

With this year’s theme, ‘Know Your Numbers,’ Mbakwem said that more blacks have hypertension than whites basically because the way blacks handle salt is a bit different.

She said, “we tend to hold onto more salt because of our climate. We sweat a lot and so we require more salt to balance up. But once too much salt is in the system, it triggers high blood pressure. There are also some genetic differences between whites and blacks. The rate at which hypertension develops complications is worse in blacks even for the same level of blood pressure. Diet is also another reason for the high rate of hypertensive cases in black people.”

About fifteen to twenty years ago, the statistics on hypertension was about 11 percent among Nigerian adults but now, Mbakwem says we are looking at figures over 30 per cent. “In some areas, it’s as high as 47 per cent. Putting it simply, if you meet 100 Nigerian adults, 30 people are hypertensive. Hypertension does not have any sign or symptom. Few people may have headache, but most people do not know they are hypertensive. It is either somebody checks your blood pressure and it is there or an organ has been damaged before it is discovered. That is why we worry about it. It is not just about the numbers, but the damage high blood pressure causes.”

Adding to this, Olugbenga Abiodun, Country Manager (ASM) for Nigeria, Omron Healthcare Europe B.V, said that what is more worrisome is that most of these Nigerians are unaware of their blood pressure levels or numbers and that means we have a big problem on our hands.

“What can be done? People need to take responsibility and know their numbers as this year’s World Hypertension day theme proposes. It is important that people start checking their blood pressure even at home. That way, at least you can begin is to raise your level of consciousness, make lifestyle modification and then consult your doctor.”

“Prevention is better than cure. That is why we are encouraging people to check their blood pressure often. As a company, we have the Omron blood pressure monitors which are the only clinically validated products in Nigeria, and Omron is a global brand represented in Nigeria by New Heights Pharma. We work with clinics and pharmacists all over the country because the cost of preventing is far cheaper than the cost of managing hypertension.”

Speaking further, Mbakwem said that high blood pressure heats up the brain, it can also damage it and that is when we talk about stroke.

“It can damage the eyes, causing blindness. The heart can fail. It can damage the kidneys. It can damage the arteries in the body. That is why we want everybody to know this. If it is discovered early, it is better to manage. What we are saying is – check your blood pressure at the slightest opportunity you can ever find. Any time you visit a hospital or any medical centre, make sure you check your blood pressure. Most pharmacies now have Omron blood pressure monitors. If you go to buy medication, spare some more time to check your blood pressure.”

Among the strategic steps that the country can follow to stem this, Olugbenga says government and key stakeholders need to start focusing on policies that can help us prevent the development and support the management of this condition.

“For instance, I will like to see a population-wide salt reduction policy. How can we do that? The government can mandate manufacturers to reasonably reduce the amount of salt in all processed and staple foods produced in the country. I will also like to see the Federal Government develop a new evidence-based guideline for the management of hypertension and its complications,” he said.