Silent Killer ‘Hypertension’, a Major Risk Amidst Mauritian End-of-Year Celebrations

Mauritius is facing a major public health warning as the festive season approaches: the combination of traditional rich diets, alcohol, and holiday stress is dangerously escalating the risk of heart attacks and strokes linked to high blood pressure, known as the ‘silent killer’.

The ‘Silent Killer’ Threat and Its Impact

The country’s annual celebrations—marked by heavily laden tables, spicy foods, sweet treats, and late-night socialising—are setting the stage for a surge in cardiovascular crises, according to experts from C-Care.

Hypertension, or high blood pressure, is termed the “silent killer” because it often presents without noticeable symptoms while fatally damaging vital organs, including the heart, brain, and kidneys.

Dr. Muhammad Feizal Timol, a Cardiologist at C-Care Wellkin, offered the following insights:

• Hypertension’s complications—such as strokes, heart attacks (infarctus), heart failure, and chronic kidney disease—can occur before the patient is even aware they are hypertensive.
• A large-scale study involving 1.25 million patients indicated that hypertensive individuals develop cardiovascular disease an average of five years earlier than those with normal blood pressure, carrying a lifetime risk of 63% compared to 46% for the normotensive group.
• Uncontrolled tension can lead to left ventricular hypertrophy and heart failure in the heart, and significantly increases the risk of both ischemic and hemorrhagic strokes in the brain. In the kidneys, it damages small vessels, potentially leading to chronic kidney disease.

High Prevalence and Festive Excesses Fuel the Crisis

The danger is magnified by the high prevalence of the condition on the island. The Mauritius Non-Communicable Disease (NCD) Survey 2021 revealed that a staggering 35.2% of adults are hypertensive. The condition often goes undiagnosed due to the lack of symptoms, making regular check-ups and screening campaigns vital.

Dr. Muhammad Feizal Timol noted that festive behaviour significantly escalates the risk:

• A diet rich in sodium and poor in potassium, as well as excessive alcohol consumption, contribute to elevated blood pressure.
• Obesity and weight gain are major risk factors. Labile hypertension (fluctuating blood pressure) is also common in anxious patients or those under acute stress.

Aroushinee Goorapah, a Dietitian at C-Care Darné, explained the dietary link:

• The Mauritian diet is often rich in salt, saturated fats, and ultra-processed foods. Salt increases water retention, while fats stiffen the arteries and promote atherosclerosis. Street food, fried dishes, and fast-foods reinforce this risk.
• Very salty foods, fried dishes, sugary drinks, and alcohol during the festive season cause hypertensive spikes. Dehydration linked to alcohol and excessive portions worsen the risk.

Hivani Poinoosawmy, a Nutritionist at C-Care Darné, elaborated on prevalence:

• The high 35.2% prevalence is explained by a diet rich in salt and fats, frequent frying, processed foods, and excessive sodium intake, which increases pressure and damages vessels.
• Festive buffets, fried items, sweet desserts, and alcohol cause spikes in blood pressure, increasing water retention and vascular inflammation.

Expert Advice: How to Celebrate Safely

C-Care experts are urging the public to adopt immediate, moderate lifestyle changes to mitigate the danger during the holidays.

Dr. Muhammad Feizal Timol’s Lifestyle Recommendations:

• Maintain a good lifestyle: regular exercise, moderate alcohol consumption (advised not to exceed 14 units per week), and dietary moderation. Regularity and moderation are essential.
• Regular visits to a general practitioner and participation in screening campaigns are necessary to diagnose more cases.

Dietary and Hydration Advice from Aroushinee Goorapah:

• Cooking: Cook more at home, reduce salt gradually, and use local herbs and spices. Privilege grilling and steaming, and choose healthier oils.
• Hydration: Water helps eliminate excess sodium. Drink a glass of water between each alcoholic beverage.
• Progressive Changes: Limit fried foods to 3-4 days a week, add a new vegetable weekly, cook homemade noodles and biryanis with less oil, replace soft drinks, reduce industrial snacks, and mix white and brown rice.

Simple Recommendations from Hivani Poinoosawmy:

• Reduce added salt, use herbs and spices, opt for grilling, steaming, or oven baking.
• Increase fruits and vegetables, offer homemade and unsweetened alternatives for festive options. For instance, colourful salads, roasted vegetables, grilled meats, yogurt-based dips, and tropical fruit desserts are healthier alternatives.

Conclusion: Do not let the conviviality of the festive season compromise your health. Vigilance, moderation, home-cooked meals, proper hydration, and regular physical activity are the simple steps recommended to protect the heart, brain, and kidneys from the “silent killer” this year.

Source: l’Express