CHIEF executive officer of the National Health Fund (NHF) Everton Anderson last week encouraged all individuals, especially those with high blood pressure, to make a lifestyle change of lowering their salt intake, recognising that eating a high sodium diet raises blood pressure and increases the risk of heart disease and stroke.

The recommended daily maximum for salt intake is 5g (one teaspoon) or 2,000mg of sodium per day.

Anderson’s caution came during the observation of Salt Awareness Week, which ran from March 15-22. There are over 260,000 people with high blood pressure enrolled with the NHFCARD at the end of February 2015, a news release from the NHF said.

Anderson said: “This is the single highest enrolment among the 15 conditions covered by the NHF and represents approximately 71 per cent of beneficiaries.”

Additionally, over 60,000 people are enrolled for Ischaemic Heart Disease and over 98,000 persons for Vascular Disease, which are also impacted by high sodium/salt intake.

During Salt Awareness Week, the NHF encouraged the public to reduce their salt intake by cooking with natural herbs and spices, less sauces and powdered seasonings, reducing the consumption of processed foods, making sure to read the labels carefully, and asking for “Less salt please” when eating out.

Students from Rhodeshall High School in Green Island, Hanover, are said to have benefited from free screening tests provided by NHF on March 18, as the foundation participated in and supported Salt Awareness activities at the school, where low sodium meal preparation demos and educational displays were done by the school.

Also, throughout the week, free blood pressure checks were offered at the NHF customer care centre, all NHF DrugServ Pharmacies, NHF operated pharmacies at Bustamante Hospital, Percy Junor Hospital and Port Maria Hospital.