Stemming the Tide of Heart Diseases in Nigeria

Cardiovascular diseases also known as heart diseases are on the rise in Nigeria, according to medical experts. They said the increasing rate of the disease is contributing greatly to medical tourism, and also causing untold hardships and sufferings for the patients and their families especially those who cannot afford its expensive treatment.

Dr Fafure Olaitan, a cardiologist with the Zankli Medical Services, Abuja said that heart disease is an umbrella term for any type of disorder affecting the heart. He said that about 10 to 20 years ago, infectious diseases were the number one killer diseases in Africa but in the last five years, the incidence of heart disease has increased drastically.

“It is no more a first world countries ailment but now in a progressive and deadly rise in Nigeria. About three years ago heart diseases moved from about five percent to seven to 10 percent in Nigeria,” he said.

He said that Nigeria has estimated progression mortality attributable to cardiovascular disease of about 12%, adding that the World Health Organisation (WHO) in 2014 revealed that the death rate of cardiovascular heart disease is more than 53,000 in Nigeria.

According to Dr Augustine Odili, a cardiologist and an Associate Professor of internal medicine at the University of Abuja Teaching Hospital, Abuja, the prevalence of heart diseases including cardiac arrest is increasing every day.

He said habits among Nigerians causing the disease include: sedentary lifestyle and physical inactivity.

“These are the main risk factors. These things cause hypertension or exacerbate those who are prone to hypertension or diabetes , this also predispose people to heart attack. Smoking really is a major factor but not a major challenge in our country,” he said.