MTWARA: MEDICAL experts have linked the high prevalence of high blood pressure in Mtwara Region to the consumption of non-iodised salt sourced from the Indian Ocean, alongside excessive alcohol intake and cigarette smoking.
The warning follows findings from a health camp in the region, where specialist doctors found that 85 per cent of 58 people screened in three days were suffering from Hypertensive Heart Disease (HHD). The cardiovascular team conducted laboratory investigations between Monday and Wednesday as part of a five-day outreach programme which concluded yesterday, and urged affected patients to seek treatment immediately.
Speaking in an exclusive interview with the ‘Daily News’ yesterday, Benjamin Mkapa Hospital (BMH) Camp Coordinator and Team Leader, Dr Emiliana Myovela, said environmental factors appear to play a significant role in the high number of heart disease cases recorded in the region.
“Considering that many residents obtain their salt from the Indian Ocean, which is largely non-iodised, the high prevalence of hypertension-related heart disease may be linked to long-term consumption of such salt,” Dr Myovela said.
She explained that excessive consumption of non-iodised salt can contribute to high blood pressure by increasing pressure in blood vessels supplying the heart and kidneys, eventually leading to serious complications. According to her, many patients screened at the camp recorded blood pressure levels exceeding 150/95, significantly above the recommended range of 90/60 to 120/90.
“A blood pressure reading of 150/95 is very high and requires medical attention,” she stressed.
Dr Myovela said many residents were unaware of their health status despite already showing signs of enlarged hearts, a condition medically known as cardiomegaly. She also expressed concern that some patients are reluctant to start or continue treatment even after diagnosis, underscoring the need for regular health screening and adherence to prescribed medication.
Dr Myovela urged Tanzanians to adopt healthier eating habits, maintain healthy body weight and consume more protein-rich foods and green vegetables while reducing intake of carbohydrates, sugar and unhealthy fats.
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According to her, cardiovascular diseases remain a major global public health challenge, claiming about 20 million lives annually, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO).
She further advised people whose jobs involve prolonged sitting to engage in regular physical activity and recommended at least 150 minutes of exercise per week. Dr Myovela also urged the public to use iodised salt from approved manufacturers, calling for stronger public awareness campaigns on healthy diets and physical fitness.
In a related development, BMH Head of Cardiology and Cardiothoracic Department, Dr John Meda, warned that untreated HHD can lead to heart failure, stroke, kidney failure and swelling of the feet. He said approximately 80 per cent of kidney disease cases are linked to hypertension and described cardiovascular disease as the leading killer among noncommunicable diseases.
Drawing from observations made during the Mtwara outreach programme, Dr Meda said many patients remain unaware of their health status, while fewer than 40 per cent of those diagnosed with hypertension consistently take prescribed medication. As a result, some patients were found with extremely high blood pressure readings of up to 200/110.
According to him, failure to adhere to treatment remains one of the major barriers to effective disease management. Dr Meda attributed the growing burden of heart disease in Tanzania and other developing countries to changing lifestyles, including unhealthy diets, increased consumption of processed foods and reduced physical activity associated with rapid urbanisation.
He urged citizens to limit salt intake to no more than two grammes per day, use iodised salt from approved manufacturers, manage stress and get adequate sleep. Dr Meda also noted that heart disease is increasingly affecting people aged between 25 and 45 years, many of whom experience complications such as stroke and heart failure.
The outreach programme was conducted as Benjamin Mkapa Hospital and the Benjamin William Mkapa Foundation mark their 10th and 20th anniversaries, respectively. The health camp was jointly organised by BMH, the Benjamin William Mkapa Foundation, Surgery, Obstetrics, Trauma and Anaesthesia Convoys (SOTAC) and Masasi District Council Hospital.