One in 100 adults in Colombo are stroke patients

Nadira GUNATILLEKE

The Health Ministry yesterday said that one in every 100 adults in Colombo is a stroke patient and 40 people die of heart attacks in Sri Lanka daily.

Consuming too much salt raises blood pressure and this can triple people's risk of a stroke. Stroke is the third biggest killer in most countries and the leading cause of severe adult disability, a Health Ministry spokesman said.

Meanwhile, Consultant Neurologist and National Stroke Association president Dr Padma Gunaratne said that the Salt Awareness Week in Sri Lanka which began on March 26 and ends tomorrow, is being held for the 11th time on the theme 'Reducing salt; preventing stroke.' The main objective of the week is raising awareness on the link between salt and increasing blood pressure which leads to increase the risk of having a stroke.

Dr. Gunaratne pointed out that the some items that are not salty can contribute significant quantities of sodium to our diet because of the amounts we consume. Examples of these types of foods, include, bread, tomato sauce, cakes and biscuits. Many 'take away' food items,such as, fish and chips, hamburgers and Chinese food contain high amounts of salt. Bottled mineral waters can contribute a significant amount of sodium. An indication of sodium content is usually given on the label.