The WHO reported on Wednesday that 40% of fatalities in Europe are caused by cardiovascular disease, and they urged people to reduce their salt intake.
That’s 10,000 fatalities every day, or 4 million annually.
“Implementing targeted policies to reduce salt intake by 25 percent could save an estimated 900,000 lives from cardiovascular diseases by 2030,” Hans Kluge, the director of the Europe branch of the World Health Organization said in a statement.
One in three persons in Europe between the ages of 30 and 79 have hypertension, which is frequently brought on by a diet high in salt.
Because of processed foods and snacks, 51 out of the 53 countries in the WHO’s European region consume more salt on a daily average than the five grams, or one teaspoon, that is advised by the WHO.
“High salt intake raises blood pressure, which is a leading risk factor for cardiovascular diseases such as heart attacks and strokes,” the WHO said.
According to the report, blood pressure is most common in Europe.
Men in the region are about 2.5 times more likely than women to die from cardiovascular illnesses, according to the WHO Europe report.
There is a geographical difference as well: in eastern and central Asia, the likelihood of dying young (30–69 years old) from cardiovascular disease is almost five times higher than in western Europe.
