Nearly half of Malta’s elderly population suffer from high blood pressure, according to the first nationwide check-up on the island’s health system.
According to the Health Systems Performance Assessment, 45 per cent of the elderly population suffers from high blood pressure – a number which “cannot be ignored,” Health Parliamentary Secretary Chris Fearne told Times of Malta.
The problem, he said, was also a significant one among the adult population, with nearly a quarter (23 per cent) suffering from the condition. “Undoubtedly, one of the main causes of high blood pressure is the amount of salt we consume in our diet,” Mr Fearne said.
“It’s not easy to reduce one’s intake of salt from all foods but not adding salt to one’s dish is already an important step.”
The Maltese loved to eat bread, Mr Fearne noted, and Maltese bread contained a substantial amount of salt.
In an attempt to tackle the situation, the government will be engaging in discussions with the industry, to examine ways through which the quantity of salt in Maltese bread could be reduced.
‘Situation needs to be addressed’
“High blood pressure exists in all countries; the incidence of heart problems and cardiovascular disease is high all over the world. But having half your elderly population with high blood pressure is a figure which cannot be ignored and which needs to be addressed.”
Malta’s penchant for salty foods has been observed in a number of studies, including one authored by Charmaine Gauci and Petra Mallia which examined the use of salt in restaurants.
The study found that the majority of chefs and caterers added salt to the dishes they served to enhance flavour and improve taste. Also, 65 per cent of the restaurants surveyed noted that patrons added salt to their food at the table.
Dr Gauci had explained that people craved salt because they are accustomed to it.
If slowly reduced from our diets, its absence won’t be noticed.
Salt may be supplanted with herbs, spices, lemon juice or mustard to retain a dish’s flavour.
What is high blood pressure?
Blood pressure is the force of blood pushing against the walls of the arteries as the heart pumps blood.
If this pressure rises and stays high over time, it can damage the body in many ways.
High blood pressure (or hypertension) rarely has noticeable symptoms and is often referred to as a “silent killer”. If left untreated, it can lead to coronary heart disease, heart failure, stroke, kidney failure and other health problems.
The only way of knowing there is a problem is to have your blood pressure measured.
Lifestyle changes can help reduce high blood pressure, such as cutting your salt intake, eating a healthy, low-fat, balanced diet, being active, cutting down on alcohol, quitting smoking and drinking less coffee, tea or other caffeine-rich drinks such as cola.