Acting Minister of Health Nguyễn Thanh Long has his blood pressure checked during an education programme for residents. — Photo laodong.vn

HÀ NỘI — The Ministry of Health (MoH) on Thursday called for people to improve their health by reducing their daily intake of salt.

High amount of salt in meals is the main reason for high blood pressure, cerebrovascular disease and thrombosis. Cardiovascular diseases cause the highest number of fatalities in Việt Nam at present, making up 31 per cent of the total fatalities in the country.

About 12 million people nationwide suffer from high blood pressure which is about one in every five people.

More than 80 per cent of high blood pressure patients do not receive the correct treatment, according to the MoH.

High blood pressure is the main reason for strokes, heart attacks and kidney failure leaving hundreds of thousands of people to be paralysed, disabled or unable to work every year.

The MoH said that most of COVID-19 fatalities have underlying diseases including high blood pressure, cardiovascular diseases and other chronic diseases.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) warns that each adult should use no more than five grams of salt per day, equal to one coffee spoon. However, most of Vietnamese use double the amount.

The MoH asked provinces and cities to educate people on the issue and instruct them to have regular blood pressure checks, especially people over 40-years-old.

Communal medical stations should insert high blood pressure in periodic health examinations and screening activities in the community and private medical facilities are encouraged to offer free blood pressure checks.

Localities should have instructions for residents for early discovery and self-supervise their condition at home. — VNS