Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago. May 16, 2025. The Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) is dedicated to the surveillance, prevention and control of non-communicable diseases (NCDs), such as hypertension within the Region. As the leading cause of early death and disability globally, 21% – 27% of adults in the Caribbean are hypertensive. Left untreated, hypertension can cause other complications like heart and kidney failure.
CARPHA focuses on disease prevention and health promotion by using the socio-ecological model for health to design initiatives, interventions and programmes that aim to influence behavioural changes that lead to positive health outcomes. Further, research has shown that a population’s health is greatly impacted by behaviours on an individual level.
Speaking on the observance of World Hypertension Day, Dr. Lisa Indar, Executive Director, CARPHA reflects on the importance of empowering individuals with knowledge about preventing and controlling hypertension. “Most people do not experience symptoms from hypertension until a catastrophic event occurs such as a stroke or heart attack, which is why it is often referred to as the ‘silent killer’. Lack of symptoms plus lack of patient education about the importance of yearly physicals, often causes patients to go undiagnosed”.
In addition to significantly contributing to the burden of disease in the Region, hypertension and its complications have also been a source of economic burden on health care systems in the Caribbean. Dr. Indar added, “If preventive measures are not taken, the Caribbean will continue to see rising rates of hypertension and cardiovascular diseases, leading to increased healthcare costs and premature death and disability”.
This year’s theme for World Hypertension Day is “Measure Your Blood Pressure Accurately, Control It, Live Longer”. CARPHA encourages persons to commit to reducing risk factors for hypertension by adopting healthy lifestyle habits, maintaining a healthy weight while engaging regularly in physical activity and optimising your diet to control hypertension by reducing the intake of sodium and trans-fats.
Excessive sodium intake is a major contributor to hypertension, which also increases the risk for cardiovascular diseases. In this regard, Dr. Heather Armstrong, Head, Chronic Disease and Injury, CARPHA stated, “CARPHA is dedicated to the development of initiatives that addresses behavioural changes that align with healthy lifestyle choices. CARPHA’s 6-Point Policy for Healthier Food Environments aims to address unhealthy eating behaviours”.
CARPHA has proposed sodium reduction measures through school nutrition education, prohibiting advertisement of high-sodium foods to children and mandatory legislation for front-of-package labelling, nutrition facts panels, nutrition standards, and product reformulation, which are also crucial to sodium reduction in the Region.
Eating less than 5 grams of salt per day will help reduce your blood pressure, improve your heart health and reduce your risk of heart and blood vessel diseases.
5 Ways to 5 Grams!
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Read food labels and avoid or reduce foods containing sodium among the first 3 ingredients.
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Use fresh natural herbs and seasonings to flavour foods and use less salt and salty seasonings.
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Use low or reduced sodium food options.
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Drain and rinse canned foods like fruits and vegetables before using.
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Use less canned and packaged foods and drinks. Eat more fresh foods (like vegetables, fruits, whole grains, legumes, fish, lean meats, low-fat dairy or alternative).
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