Cardiologists urge Nigerians to adopt healthy lifestyle to prevent heart failure

A group of cardiologists from top health institutions across the country has urged Nigerians to embrace healthy lifestyle as preventive measure against heart failure. Speaking in Lagos at an awareness programme organised by Novartis, they affirmed that there is currently no known cure for the disease, adding that it can only be managed to prolong […]

A group of cardiologists from top health institutions across the country has urged Nigerians to embrace healthy lifestyle as preventive measure against heart failure.

Speaking in Lagos at an awareness programme organised by Novartis, they affirmed that there is currently no known cure for the disease, adding that it can only be managed to prolong life.

The cardiologists include: Consultant Cardiologist, University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, Dr. Ikechukwu Ogah; Consultant Cardiologist, Aminu Kano University Teaching Hospital (AKTH), Prof. Kamilu Karaye; Consultant Cardiologist, Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Prof. Amam Mbakwem and Consultant Cardiologist, Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital (OAUTH), Prof. Micheal Balogun.

Others are Consultant Cardiologist, University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH), Dr. Maclean Akpa; Consultant Cardiologist, University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital (UITH), Prof. Ibraheem Katibi; and Consultant Cardiologist, University of Abuja Teaching Hospital (UATH), Dr. Dike Ojji.

Addressing participants at the event, Prof. Balogun, who also chaired the occasion, emphasized that heart failure is worse than breast cancer and prostate cancer.

“Many get scared when you talk about the two (breast and prostate cancers) but when it comes to heart failure, they seems to think that nothing really is happening. But it is worse than most cancers,” he said.

He said further: “The heart pumps blood to other parts of the body; and the blood that is pumped to other parts of the body makes other organs to perform their jobs.

“So, when we say heart failure, it means the heart has failed in its ability to receive blood and to pump out blood. Definitely, it you have heart failure, you will have symptoms; and when doctors, especially specialists examine you, they will be able to tell you if your heart has failed. It is akin to a car engine knocking; so, it’s better not to let it knock-out.”

The cardiologists highlighted with statistics the consequences of the rapidly increasing rate of the disease, adding that there is no drug for its cure in the global market presently.

They affirmed that it has contributed to the drastic increase in mortality rate in hospitalized patients in recent times across Nigeria.

They however listed some preventive measures which could be applied to keep the disease at bay.

These, according to them, include: regular exercise, developing healthy eating habits, frequent medical check-up with a cardiologist, among others.

They unanimously urged Nigerians to maintain healthy lifestyles “as it is the most effective solution to the disease, which consistently claims millions of lives all over the world every year.”

According to the organiser, the event was aimed at enlightening Nigerians on heart failure and its effects on the lives of the sufferers, their loved ones and the society in general.