Rich Nigerians at risk of heart attacks – Doctors

Rich Nigerians at risk of heart attacks – Doctors

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Physicians and heart specialists have raised the alarm over the deaths of more wealthy Nigerians through heart attacks and other cardiovascular diseases.

Heart specialists, who spoke to our correspondent, noted that Sudden Death Syndrome is on the rise and more common among top business executives and those in the high-income bracket.

According to Consultant Cardiologist at the University of Nsukka Teaching Hospital, Enugu, Dr. Ben Anisuba, many rich Nigerians and top business men are suffering from diseases that can lead to sudden death when they are not well managed.

Anisuba said, “Rich Nigerians are more prone to heart attack than the poor. This is because health conditions that can lead to sudden death are more common among the rich. The rich can afford to eat foods that cause high blood pressure and high cholesterol every day. Obesity related to diet is one major issue why affluent Nigerians are dying.”

The cardiologist, however, noted that some deaths among the rich would have been avoidable if they had respected the advice of their physicians.

Anisuba added, “The rich, especially those who hold high political positions, must have physicians that are close to them. I mean physicians, who can anticipate unfortunate health situations and advise them accordingly. We have advised some politicians to forgo their ambition and they did. Today, they are alive. But not many will adhere to this advice.”

But another cardiologist, Dr. Moronkola Ramon, viewed the health challenge from a different perspective. Ramon, a member of staff of the Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Idi- Araba, alleged that many rich Nigerians, especially public office holders, cared less about having Nigerian physicians. According to him, many rich Nigerians prefer to seek treatment abroad.

Ramon said, “Instead of doing regular medical checkups with physicians in Nigeria, they prefer to go abroad. A doctor that has monitored you over time can easily detect some of your challenging health conditions. A yearly or quarterly check-up abroad with a doctor that does not know your health history, especially as you grow older, will not be of immense help you.”

The heart specialist, who also canvassed the need to compel public office holders to seek treatment locally, added that the sedentary lifestyle they led was another elixir for heart attack and sudden death.

He said, “The affluence that comes with political offices in Nigeria is alarming. For instance, a man who used to be slim will suddenly become fat after taking up a political position. He will suddenly start drinking more alcohol and eating westernised foods that encourage weight gain.

“They have chefs, drivers and others employed to do everything for them. They are not tasking themselves physically and the result is weight gain and the accompanying heart attack and sudden death.”

Consultant Neurologist, Dr. Biodun Ogungbo, also admitted that there was increase in such deaths in urban cities, especially in Lagos and Abuja.

The neurologist identified increasing incidence of stroke, which can lead to a heart attack or sudden death as reasons for the trend.

He added, “We are seeing more cases of people suddenly slumping and dying in an urban city like Lagos. We assume that stress arising from the economic downturn, poverty, politics and re-election, is a viable risk factor.

“The actual cause of the sudden death is either stroke or a heart attack. The two organs, namely the brain and the heart can stop working and cause immediate death. Stroke is brain attack and it is on the increase in Nigeria.

PUNCH.

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