A consultant cardiologist, Prof. Amam Mbakwem, on Thursday advised the general public to maintain healthy lifestyles to reduce cases of sudden deaths associated with heart-related diseases.
Mbakwem, who is also the President, Nigerian Cardiac Society, made the plea at a free medical screening aimed at creating awareness on the dangers of heart-related diseases.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the programme was organised by the Cardiology Unit of the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Idi-Araba, to commemorate the 2016 World Heart Day.
The consultant cardiologist also advised people with family history of heart-related diseases to go for comprehensive screening to ensure early detection.
“We are here today to celebrate the World Heart Day by creating awareness on how people can maintain healthy lifestyles, and to also screen their blood pressure for further referral.
“People who have high blood pressure will be referred to our clinics, and also encourage them to engage in activities that will keep their hearts healthy,” she said.
Mbakwem urged people to always monitor their blood pressure, and be active, eat healthy, maintain healthy weight and watch their cholesterol level to keep the heart healthy.
Also, Prof. Ngozi Ajuluchukwu, Head, Department of Medicine, LUTH College of Medicine, said that cardiovascular diseases were leading causes of deaths all over the world.
Ajuluchukwu, who is also a cardiologist, said that African countries were recording increases in the prevalence and frequency of cardiovascular diseases.
“It is very important for us to create awareness on certain happenings, because it is of national interest, as a healthy individual is a healthy nation,” she said.
Ajuluchukwu said that the screening was to focus on the risk factors of the cardiovascular diseases.
In his remarks, a cardiologist, Dr Akinkunmi Afolabi, also urged those above 30 years to know their blood pressure.
Afolabi, who is the president, Association of Resident Doctors, LUTH chapter, said that normal blood pressure should be between 120 and 70.
Also, Mr Dimeji Agbolade, the Head of External Affairs, Sanofi Pharmaceutical Company, said that the screening was to create awareness on the need for healthy heart.
NAN reports that Sanofi Pharmaceutical was a cosponsor of the medical screening.
Agbolade, who is also a pharmacist, said that there was need to inform people on the risk factors and the likely causes of cardiovascular diseases.
“The programme is to let people know that heart diseases affect all parts of the body.
“We believe that the awareness created today will help in reducing the high level of heart-related diseases in the society,” he said.
One of the beneficiaries, Mrs Amina Balogun, said that the platform would encourage people to get adequate attention as regards their health.
“Most of us don’t even know that we need to go for medical checkup regularly, but with this, we are aware, and I believe people will keep up with it,” Balogun said.
Also, Mr Samson Chike, a beneficiary, commended the organisers, saying that the programme would help people to know their health status.
“Many people find it difficult to just walk into the clinic for a checkup, but many people will benefit from this as it does not require booking of appointment,” he said. (NAN)