Ahead of World Hypertension Day, the initiative educates the public about the link between high salt intake and hypertension
High blood pressure, known as the silent killer, is a major public health threat in India. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), one-third of deaths in India are due to non-communicable diseases, with cardiovascular diseases being the most prevalent.
Hypertension, affecting an estimated 220 million Indians, is a primary cause of these conditions. High dietary salt intake is a significant risk factor. Dr Manjula Suresh, Senior VP of Medical Services at Micro Labs, states that the average salt intake in India is about 8g per day, exceeding WHO’s recommended limit of 5g.
To address this, Micro Labs is launching the “I AM ON SALT SATYAGRAHA” campaign to educate the public about the link between high salt intake and hypertension. Dr. Ravi R. Kasliwal, Chairman of Clinical & Preventive Cardiology at Medanta, Gurgaon, emphasises that a healthy lifestyle, including regular exercise, weight management, stress reduction, and a balanced diet, is crucial for preventing and managing hypertension.
Micro Labs is committed to providing evidence-based solutions. “We are actively working on a first-of-its-kind initiative on high dietary salt and hypertension in India,” says Sirish Samak, Vice President at Micro Labs. “Additionally, a panel of doctors is collaborating with us to develop the most effective strategies for salt reduction in the Indian context,” he adds.
“Early detection is key to managing hypertension,” emphasises Dr Rajeev Gupta, Chairman, Preventive Cardiology and Medicine, Eternal Heart Care Centre & Research Institute, Jaipur. “Regular blood pressure monitoring, even at home, allows for early identification and intervention. This empowers individuals to take charge of their health and work with their doctor to control their blood pressure before complications develop.”
Dilip Surana, CMD of Micro Labs, highlights the company’s commitment to supporting the Indian Hypertension Control Initiative (IHCI). The “I AM ON SALT SATYAGRAHA” campaign aligns with IHCI’s goal of reducing high blood pressure prevalence by 25 percent by 2025. By raising awareness about uncontrolled hypertension and salt reduction, Micro Labs aims to improve public health outcomes in India.
“World Hypertension Day, observed on May 17th, serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of blood pressure control and the fight against this silent killer. Micro Labs’ awareness initiative, ” I AM ON SALT SATYAGRAHA,” has the potential to inspire a nationwide awareness movement for healthier blood pressure control,” adds Surana.
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