‘Hypertension common risk factor for heart disease, stroke in Nigeria’

Amarachi Okeh

The Nigerian Cardiac Society has raised the alarm over the increasing prevalence of hypertension in Nigeria, noting that many Nigerians living with the condition are unaware they have it.

The NCS noted that more proactive steps to curb the spread of the condition are now necessary because it is the most common risk factor for heart disease and stroke.

According to the NCS, three out of every ten adult Nigerians have high blood pressure, noting that many are unaware of their hypertensive status.

The NCS urged Nigerians to embrace the culture of regular blood pressure checks, stressing that hypertension is a silent killer.

The Nigerian Cardiac Society made the call in a press release signed by the president, Prof. Augustine Odili, and the General Secretary, Prof. Aliko Chizindu which was made available to PUNCH HealthWise.

The press statement was issued to commemorate the 2022 World Heart Day with the theme, #UseHeartforeveryHeart.

World Heart Day is celebrated on 29th September of every year. It is aimed at drawing attention to heart illness and the range of associated health issues.

The day is commemorated to promote different preventative steps and changes in lifestyle to avoid any cardiovascular diseases, like heart attack, stroke, and heart failure.

The press statement partly reads, “The rising prevalence of cardiovascular diseases, especially in developing countries like Nigeria, is becoming alarming and this is not unconnected to rapid urbanisation, increasing air pollution, and lifestyle issues.

“A disproportionately large proportion of deaths due to cardiovascular diseases in low-income countries with almost eight out of every ten deaths occurring in these countries.

“Presently, cardiovascular disease accounts for 17.9 million deaths worldwide with more than 75 per cent occurring in low and middle-income countries. Unfortunately, the number of cardiovascular diseases related deaths is expected to rise to over 23 million by 2030.

“The most important behavioural risk factors of heart disease and stroke are unhealthy diet, physical inactivity, tobacco use, and harmful use of alcohol.

“The risk factors for heart disease are many, the most common, and, by far, the important ones are lifestyle related.

“Lack of physical exercise, tobacco smoking, consuming alcohol, eating unhealthy diets rich in salt and saturated fats, and low in fresh fruits and vegetables.

“These behavioural risk factors may eventually lead to other cardiovascular risks such as high blood pressure (hypertension), high blood lipids/cholesterol (dyslipidaemia), overweight and obesity, and diabetes mellitus.”

To prevent cardiovascular diseases, the NCS said simple actions like quitting smoking, engaging in physical activities, and eating right are crucial, noting that those measures would go a long way to helping Nigerians maintain good heart health.

Also, eating healthy diets that contain all the nutrients (carbohydrate, protein, fats & oil, vitamins & mineral salts, and water) in the right proportion is advised in addition to eating moderate-sized meals/food portions, NCS said, adding that reducing the intake of salt to less than a teaspoon per day, limiting the intake of fatty foods and processed foods including sodas, and increasing the consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables to up to five portions/servings per day are invaluable in maintaining heart health.

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