Student Dissertation 3rd Batch

Salt consumption in Hypertensive patients attending in a tertiary level Cardiac Hospital

Sheikh Mohammad Mahbubus Sobhan

Abstract 

Introduction

Like many of the countries of developing world Bangladesh is passing through epidemiological transition from communicable to non-communicable diseases. While there has been substantial progress in prevention and control of infectious and communicable diseases. Moreover, non-communicable diseases are also on rising trend in Bangladesh. Among the non-communicable diseases, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes and cancer comprise the main arena. Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are rapidly emerging as an important cause of mortality and morbidity in developing countries. For most developing and middle-income countries, this increased incidence of CVD adds to the continuing burden of infectious, nutritional, and perinatal diseases, which has been termed the ‘double-burden’.
There are several known factors that increase blood pressure, such as excessive salt intake, obesity, heavy drinking, lack of exercise and mental stress. The salt intake in Bangladesh is used to be markedly higher than that in western countries. According to the Statistical Handbook 2004, the mean salt intake of Bangladesh is about 15 gm. It will be very useful to estimate the population level of Na (or salt) and K intake for epidemiological surveys and public health activities aimed at reducing blood pressure levels in a community, and to compare their annual trends.

© School of Public Health, BRAC University