The Heart and Stroke Foundation reminds Canadians of the link between sodium and high blood pressure on World Health Day 2013

OTTAWA, April 5, 2013 /CNW/ - To mark World Health Day 2013, with its focus on high blood pressure, the Heart and Stroke Foundation is reminding Canadians to understand their sodium intake and reduce it to recommended levels.

World Health Day activities and campaigns throughout the world will focus on the causes and consequences of high blood pressure. High blood pressure is a serious medical condition that significantly increases the risks of heart attack and heart failure, stroke and other major health problems. About six million adult Canadians have high blood pressure.

Controlling high blood pressure is the main way to prevent heart attack and stroke. One important step Canadians can take to help control their blood pressure is limiting the amount of sodium in their diets.

Unfortunately Canadians on average are consuming upwards of 3,400 mg of sodium per day, which is well above recommended levels of 2,300 mg. Estimates are that almost one in three Canadians with high blood pressure would have normal blood pressure if there was less salt in our food.

"The majority of salt we consume - about 77 per cent - comes from processed and packaged foods and it's harming our health," says Bobbe Wood, president of the Heart and Stroke Foundation. "Canadians will do their health a favour if they make it their business to understand where the sodium in their diet comes from; that way, they can make informed choices. And, the more salt we can get out of the food supply, the better off Canadians will be."

Provincial and federal governments have an important role to play in sodium reduction, including public awareness campaigns and healthy food procurement policies for public institutions. The federal government can play a critical role by implementing a sodium reduction monitoring mechanism.

The Heart and Stroke Foundation works with government, industry, health partners, and through our Health Check™ food information program to reduce sodium in our foods, and to remind Canadians of the link between nutrition and risk factors for heart disease and stroke.

Early detection and treatment of high blood pressure are key. Take action with the free, online Heart&Stroke Blood Pressure Action Plan, available at heartandstroke.ca/ehealth.

The Foundation is asking all Canadians to make health last by taking action today to give themselves, their friends and families longer, healthier, fuller lives. Take the Heart&Stroke Risk Assessment today at makehealthlast.ca.

The Heart and Stroke Foundation, a volunteer-based health charity, leads in eliminating heart disease and stroke, reducing their impact through the advancement of research and its application, the promotion of healthy living and advocacy. Healthy lives free of heart disease and stroke.

Together we will make it happen. Heartandstroke.ca

SOURCE: HEART AND STROKE FOUNDATION

Media inquiries:
Jane-Diane Fraser
Heart and Stroke Foundation
[email protected]
613-569-4361 x 273