Makassar, Indonesia July 08 2026/PMN-RG/ – High blood pressure, often called the “silent killer,” continues to threaten millions of lives worldwide. For older adults, especially those living in rural areas, hypertension is not just common it is dangerous. It can lead to stroke, heart disease, kidney failure, and a significant decline in quality of life. But what if a simple daily habit could make a life-saving difference?
A recent study conducted in rural Indonesia offers a powerful answer: reducing salt intake combined with continuous follow-up—can significantly control blood pressure among older people.
The study involved 148 older adults diagnosed with hypertension. They were divided into two groups: one received standard health education, while the other received structured education about a low-salt diet followed by regular monthly follow-ups for two months. The difference in results was striking.
According to the findings presented on page 1 of the article, the group that received continuous follow-up showed a significant decrease in both systolic and diastolic blood pressure, while the control group experienced no meaningful changes.
Why does this matter?
Because knowledge alone is not enough. Many older adults already know that salt can increase blood pressure but they still struggle to change their habits. As described in the discussion section on page 5, some participants believed they were following a low-salt diet simply by reducing table salt, without realizing that foods like instant noodles, canned fish, and processed snacks also contain high sodium levels.
This is where continuous follow-up becomes essential.
Follow-up sessions helped participants understand their mistakes, monitor their food intake, and stay motivated. Over time, they began to change their eating habits choosing boiled foods over fried ones and reducing high-sodium products. As shown in the results on page 6, these behavioral changes led to consistent improvements in blood pressure over one to two months.
More importantly, the study highlights a critical insight: behavior change takes time. Immediate results may not be visible within the first week, but with consistent support and guidance, meaningful improvements can occur within a few months.
This research strongly supports SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being, which aims to ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all ages. By promoting simple, low-cost interventions such as dietary education and continuous follow-up, healthcare systems can reduce the burden of hypertension especially in underserved rural communities.
Beyond health, this approach is also practical and sustainable. It does not require expensive technology or advanced medical equipment. Instead, it relies on education, communication, and community-based care making it accessible even in low-resource settings.
In conclusion, controlling hypertension does not always require complex solutions. Sometimes, the answer lies in small, consistent changes like reducing salt intake and staying committed through regular support. As this study shows, when knowledge is combined with continuous care, even the simplest habits can save lives.
Because in the fight against hypertension, less salt truly means more life.
Reference:
DOI. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cegh.2025.101943
Contact:
Dr. Yuliana Syam, S.Kp., Ns, M.Si.
+6281342012733
yulianasyam@unhas.ac.id
