UniAbuja Cardiologist suggests ways to reduce hypertension

From Fred Ezeh, Abuja

Dike Ojji, a Professor of Medicine and Preventive Cardiology at College of Health Sciences, and Lead Investigator, Cardiovascular Research Centre of University of Abuja and University of Abuja Teaching Hospital, said many Nigerians are unknowingly consuming far less potassium than required for healthy blood pressure regulation.

He said that reducing hypertension is not only about cutting down on salt, insisting that adequate potassium intake helps counter the harmful effects of excess sodium, and also plays a significant role in lowering blood pressure.

This was contained in the research outcome by Nigeria Sodium Study Team at the University of Abuja’s Cardiovascular Research Centre, where additional evidence suggests that improving potassium intake is just as important as reducing sodium consumption.

He said the studies indicated that most Nigerians consume only about 60 per cent of the potassium intake recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO), and that’s not very good for our health,” he stressed.

He maintained that potassium is an essential mineral found naturally in foods such as leafy vegetables, fruits, legumes, and tubers. “However, changing dietary habits still pose a challenge, particularly in urban areas where processed foods and seasoning cubes dominate regular meals.

“To address low potassium intake and rising hypertension, practical and accessible alternatives, including potassium-enriched or low-sodium salt, is a necessity,” he said.

Another member of the Nigeria Sodium Study Team, Prof. Bruce Neal of the George Institute of University of New Southwales, said that food such as leafy vegetables contain a lot potassium and their consumption is very healthy for humans.

He said the current approach is more likely to encourage or drive sustained behavioural change compared to just cutting down salt intake.

Additionally, the co-principal investigator in the Nigeria Sodium Study Team, Prof. Mark Huffman of Washington University in Saint Louis, noted that the shift to potassium-rich diets explain an important development in public health communication, from simply warning messages against excessive salt consumption to offering realistic dietary solutions.

Backed by international research collaborations across the United States and Australia, and funded by the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute, USA, the Nigeria Sodium Study Team’s work on sodium reduction is increasingly influencing public health discussions and dietary policy considerations.

With hypertension leading to thousands of preventable deaths annually, promoting potassium-enriched salt and diets could represent a significant turning point in Nigeria’s fight against cardiovascular disease.