Health experts said today (6 March) that excessive salt intake contributes to non-communicable diseases, particularly cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure and stroke.

They suggested avoiding salt intake because consuming salt with food directly causes heart disease, high blood pressure, and other chronic diseases.

Health experts made the proposal at a workshop titled “Engaging stakeholders to improve cardiovascular outcomes in Bangladesh through salt reduction.”

The Noncommunicable Disease Control Program (NDCCP), National Heart Foundation of Bangladesh, and Resolve To Save Lives (RTSL) held a workshop at a hotel in the city.

Dr. Tom Frieden, President and CEO of RTSL, gave a presentation highlighting the global scenario regarding cardiovascular health.

Tom Frieden said in his presentation that nearly 20 people die each year due to salt intake, and poor countries witness 4 out of 5 deaths related to salt intake.

Frieden said the risk of heart disease and high blood pressure would be significantly reduced, and deaths from non-communicable diseases could be prevented.

Professor Sohel Reza Chowdhury of the National Heart Foundation Hospitals and Research Institute said people in Bangladesh typically consume 9 grams of salt each day, compared to the World Health Organization (WHO)’s recommended intake of 5 grams of salt. He said that the intake of salt is almost twice as much as recommended.

He also said processed foods in the country contain excessive salt, contributing to non-communicable diseases.

Professor Robert Amin, head of the Directorate General of Health Services, said the government was working to reduce salt intake by 30 per cent to prevent an alarming rise in heart disease and other non-communicable diseases.