JMU hypertension expert advises young people to be wary of salt intake

One of the biggest misconceptions about heart health is among people ages 18-39 who believe they are too young to have hypertension, said Biswadeep Dhar, a professor of health sciences at James Madison University, and an expert on chronic disease prevention and health disparities.

Dhar says another common misconception is that people think their salt intake is acceptable because they do not add salt to their food.

As World Heart Day approaches Sept. 29, Dhar is available to discuss:

• Misconceptions about hypertension
• Popular health trends that do not hold up scientifically
• Behavior changes that can improve heart health
• His studies on salt intake

"Shaking salt onto dinner accounts for a tiny fraction of sodium intake," said Dhar, who is conducting a study that addresses critical gaps in understanding salt consumption behaviors and the acceptability of taste-modification strategies. "Up to 70% of the sodium Americans consume is hidden in restaurant meals and processed foods, including breads, cold cuts, canned soups, condiments and pizza."

The American Heart Association states that excess sodium in the bloodstream pulls water into blood vessels, increasing the volume of blood circulating through them. As more blood flows through blood vessels, blood pressure rises, similar to increasing the water supply to a garden hose. Increased blood flow forces the heart to work harder to pump blood throughout the body.

Over time, high blood pressure can overstretch or damage blood vessel walls and accelerate the buildup of plaque that can restrict blood flow, the AHA states.

Changing eating habits is the "one of the most critical levers you can pull" to improve heart health, Dhar said. "Diet is the ultimate keystone habit, along with other factors such as regular exercise and smoking cessation. However, changing your eating patterns naturally triggers other major interventions that support weight loss and increased energy."

Openness to taste modification and salt reduction is a complex behavioral challenge influenced by cultural traditions, age and education, Dhar said. His research provides insights that could help health professionals develop more effective, culturally tailored interventions and support systems for hypertension prevention and control.

Contact: Eric Gorton, gortonej@jmu.edu