Is high blood seriously a growing concern in both developed and developing nations? Is it not just a personal health issue? Or is it becoming a global crisis?
This is 2025, and now it’s both.
What is Hypertension?
High blood pressure is also globally known as hypertension. It is one of the biggest silent killers worldwide for both men and women. This happens when the force of blood running in the artery walls is too high. Experts measure this pressure in two parameters – systolic and diastolic. A normal reading is around 120/80 mmHg.
Due to a lack of healthy lifestyle and nutrition, this pressure increases fold by fold and damages the blood vessels, leading to serious health problems like heart disease, stroke, and kidney failure as well.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), more than 1.28 billion adults globally have high blood pressure in 2021, and most people don’t even know about their condition. The condition increases the risk of heart disease, stroke, and kidney failure and failing to recognize it at an earlier stage prevents them from adopting a healthier lifestyle.
Some nations are seeing a skyrocketing rise due to lifestyle, diet, and genetics. Other countries are actively fighting back with better awareness and healthier alternatives like Salicornia salt and other salt substitutes for high blood pressure.
Let’s see the countries that are struggling the most with hypertension.
1. China
China tops the charts when it comes to high blood pressure or hypertension crisis. The Lancet found that over 245 million adults in China have high blood pressure, but a staggering 88% of them are not properly managing it.
Main Reasons Behind:
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High salt intake in ways of soy sauce, pickled foods, and salty broths
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With the Aging population, the risk of hypertension increases
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Lack of awareness
China is now promoting low-sodium diets, including better salt options like salicornia salt, and increasing access to regular blood pressure screenings.
2. India
According to WHO, 220 million people in India are suffering from hypertension. And these numbers are rising fast. Experts blame it on an increasingly sedentary lifestyle, processed foods, and high salt consumption in meals and snacks.
Main Reasons Behind:
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Salt-loaded diets, packed with pickles, papads, and spice blends that often contain hidden sodium
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With more people shifting to desk jobs and processed foods, hypertension rates are skyrocketing
Health-conscious people are now introducing natural salt substitutes for high blood pressure, like garlic powder and salicornia salt, as flavorful, healthier alternatives.
3. The United States
The land of America is loaded with fast food junctions that promote and sell fast food, processed snacks, and oversized portion meals. People with busy lifestyles usually tend to choose such options and this is what is happening in America.
Main Reasons Behind:
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About 70% of the sodium in the American diet comes from processed or restaurant foods
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Obesity in most of the population puts extra strain on the heart, raising blood pressure
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High-stress lifestyle promotes hypertension
Currently, the U.S. is pushing low-sodium options, better food labelling, and greater awareness of alternatives like Samphire salt and other plant-based salt substitutes like garlic, balsamic salt, lemon zest, etc.
4. Eastern European Countries - Croatia, Latvia, Lithuania, Hungary, Slovenia and Russia
Countries like Hungary, Croatia, Latvia, Lithuania, Slovenia and Russia top the charts for highest salt consumption globally, with people consuming 10-12g daily, double the WHO’s recommended 5g. No wonder 40% of Eastern Europeans have hypertension.
Main Reasons Behind:
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Heavy consumption of processed meats, pickled foods, and vodka raises blood pressure levels
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Cold climate, less fresh produce
The government and national health organizations are actively promoting low-sodium diets and raising awareness about high sodium intakes.
5. Sub-Saharan Countries – South Africa, Nigeria, Chad and Mali
In sub-Saharan countries like Nigeria, Chad, Mali and South Africa, hypertension rates have risen by 60% in the last 25 years. Urbanization, processed foods, and limited healthcare access are fueling the crisis in these countries.
In Brazil as well, nearly 40% of adults suffer from hypertension, and experts link it to both high sodium salt and high sugar intake.
Main Reasons Behind:
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Love for processed meats
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Excess sugar consumption
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Oil consumption
Public health campaigns are encouraging the use of natural alternatives like salicornia salt, and meals with less or no oil.
Conclusion:
Awareness is growing, slowly but gradually, and healthier alternatives are becoming mainstream.
You can cut back on processed foods and opt for salt substitutes like green salicornia salt and other salt substitutes like garlic and lemon. Switching to low-sodium, high-mineral salt substitutes is one of the easiest and flavorful ways to start managing your blood pressure from now on.
