The prevalence of hypertension amongst adults age 30 and above in Malaysia in 2011 was at 43.5%.*
In a more recent (2021) study, the figure jumped to 49.4%** High blood pressure does not discriminate between genders and it is a growing concern in Malaysia.

Let's try and understand hypertension a little better..

There are two types of hypertension: primary and secondary. It has been said that there is no single cause for primary hypertension while secondary hypertension always arises as a consequence of another disease. Causes of primary hypertension that are often cited include: family history, high cholesterol, obesity, diet, smoking, stress and excessive salt intake. Conversely, the one very significant cause -magnesium deficiency- is overlooked.[1]

This is how magnesium is involved with maintaining blood pressure levels:

1. Magnesium keeps blood vessels relaxed and in dilated conditions as necessary, consequently maintaining normal blood pressure levels.[2]
   
   
2. ‘Magnesium prevents muscle spasms of the peripheral blood vessels, which can lead to high blood pressure.’[3]
   
   
3. By lowering hypertension and normalizing blood pressure levels, magnesium lowers the risk of pre-eclampsia. [4]
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When mineral (calcium, magnesium, potassium, sodium, etc) content is balanced, BP is normal. However, today’s diet is typically imbalanced: low in magnesium and potassium, and high in sodium.
While the de-facto advice often is to reduce salt consumption, this does not address the problem of LACK or DEFICIENCY of magnesium and potassium. 

There are notable health professionals such as Dr. James DiNicolantonio who wrote The Salt Fix that can challenge what we believe about salt consumption. The problem is not in how much salt we consume, but what kind of salt, and whether it is balanced with the other minerals and electrolytes.