A reduction in salt intake and a minor 'lifestyle changes', coupled with regular exercise, is all that is needed to significantly tackle heart disease, according to the Irish Heart Foundation.
Launching Irish Heart Week, which begins on Sunday September 26 th, Minister for Health Mr Michael Martin said that a simple reduction in salt intake could save up to 900 lives per annum.
Though surveys show that there widespread awareness of the dangers of too much salt, there appears to be an apathy towards the personal damage among those questioned. Speaking at the launch, President of the Irish Heart Foundation, Dr Will Fennell, said that 91 per cent of school children were aware of the risks involved in over indulging in salt but that 67 per cent were not concerned about their own salt intake.
However it is estimated that Irish people eat nine to 10 grams of salt per day, compared to the recommended 6 grams. If, therefore, everybody reduced their salt intake by just half a teaspoon, the benefits would be significant.
Male students appeared significantly less informed than their female counterparts about the dangers of salt. Only 41 per cent of male students identified it as a danger, whereas 65 per cent of females knew this to be the case.
During the launch, attended by transition year students of Larkin Community College, in Dublin's north inner city, Mr Martin said: "Many of the foods linked with overweight and obesity are often not only high in fat and sugar, but are also high in salt. Therefore if we reduce our consumption of such foods, through smaller portion sizes, we will automatically reduce our consumption of salt."
250 walks nationwide have been organised for Irish Heart Week, which coincides with World Heart Day, and will be held in conjunction with the Department of Health and Children's Every Step Countsprogramme, while 500 workplaces will reduce the salt content in the food they serve.
The initiative will also be supported by Superquinnbranches in Dublin, Carlow and Waterford, where customers and employees will be informed of healthier alternatives to salt.
The foundation encourages people to reduce their salt intake by minimising the amount used in cooking, seasoning food with alternative condiments, eating more fresh produce, checking labels for salt content and cutting down on foods with a high salt content.
Mr Martin took the opportunity to address the children on the main contributor to heart disease, smoking, and praised the foundation for its help in implementing the smoking ban.
According the Department, 7,000 Irish people have quit smoking since the inception of the National Quitlinein September 2003.
A national taskforce, headed by former Olympic silver medalist John Treacy, has also been established to encompass the determinants of overweight and obesity.
Details of Irish Heart Week 2004 can be found at www.irishheart.ie or by phoning 1850 364 364.