Cardiovascular diseases remain the world’s leading cause of death—not only in the Philippines—the World Health Organization (WHO) said.
According to the WHO, cardiovascular diseases claim an estimated 17.9 million lives each year, with excessive salt intake identified as one of the key contributing factors.
The WHO emphasized that reducing dietary salt is among the most immediate and cost-effective ways to lower the risk of cardiovascular diseases.
Data from the agency showed that cardiovascular diseases—a group of disorders affecting the heart and blood vessels, including coronary heart disease, cerebrovascular disease, and rheumatic heart disease—account for 32% of all global deaths, most of which occur in low- and middle-income countries.
THE LINK BETWEEN SALT AND HEART DISEASE
At the center of cardiovascular disease is hypertension, or high blood pressure, a major risk factor for heart attacks and strokes.
The WHO said excessive dietary sodium intake is a primary driver of elevated blood pressure worldwide, and that many people eat more than salt than the recommended maximum of one teaspoon a day.
Reducing salt consumption has been shown to directly lower blood pressure and significantly reduce the risk of major cardiovascular diseases.
WHO experts emphasized that curbing salt intake is among the highest-impact public health interventions, helping cut medical costs and prevent deaths.
To address the issue, the WHO advocates strategies aimed at reducing sodium intake across food systems and consumer behavior.
These include reformulating processed and packaged foods, implementing front-of-pack nutrition labeling, setting sodium guidelines for meals served in schools and public institutions, and promoting awareness about limiting added salt during food preparation.
BEYOND SALT REDUCTION
The WHO noted that excessive salt intake is just one of several risk factors contributing to cardiovascular diseases.
It stressed the importance of addressing other behavioral risks, including unhealthy diets, physical inactivity, tobacco use, and harmful alcohol consumption.
These behaviors often lead to conditions such as high blood pressure, elevated blood sugar, increased blood lipids, overweight, and obesity—all of which heighten the risk of severe cardiovascular complications.
The WHO underscored the importance of early detection and primary care management. It said that combining population-level sodium reduction policies with early screening and accessible treatment can significantly reduce premature deaths from heart disease and stroke worldwide.
