This development is attributed to the rise in incidence of hypertension, diabetics, high cholesterol, obesity and other unhealthy lifestyle conditions in the country in recent times.
Experts who noted this trend during the first contact cardiovascular risk management training organised by the multinational pharmaceutical company, Pfizer Nigeria Ltd in collaboration with the Lagos State Primary Healthcare Board recently, were concerned that more incidences of the conditions are being reported in all parts of the country and most victims happen to be young people. They noted that Cardiovascular disease is responsible for a large proportion of deaths and disability worldwide.
However, a substantial number of the increasing global impact of CVD is attributable to economic, social, and cultural changes that have led to increases in risk factors for CVD.
CVD is the umbrella term that refers to any of a number of diseases affecting the heart and blood vessels.
A Professor of community and primary health care, Prof. Olumuyiwa Odusanya said the increase of CVD burden in Nigeria and other developing countries is due to prevalence of risk factors and lack of access to early interventions.
Odusanya revealed that these diseases have not only denied people access to long life, but also have immeasurable impact on the economy of nations.
"Aside from the fact that about 50 percent of Nigerians are at risk, 30 to 50 million Nigerians in their reproductive age groups are groups that are at risk of CVD. The implication of this is evident on the recent review of the country's Gross Domestic Product, which is about half a trillion, so about a quarter of that can be lost to cardiovascular disease amounting about 100 million dollars," he said.
He regretted that because the disease has no symptoms, it is possible for majority of people to be victims.
"Early detection will go a long way in ameliorating the complication because majority of people who are victims don't even know on time. So we have to encourage people on a regular medical checks and do away with the lifestyle that can put you at risk," Odusanya stated.
He, however, recommended some lifestyle changes to diminish such complication. ''Live a stress-free life, eat normal, be happy, stop smoking, reduce amount of salt in-take, reasonable alcohol if possible, no alcohol, reduce amount of saturated oil in your food," he added.
He urged doctors to commence aggressive treatment on any patient that comes up with the complication as soon as it is detected to avert early death.
Apart from drug treatment and, in some cases surgery, the eminent professor at college of Medicine, University of Lagos, recommended daily physical activities and proper management of hypertension among others.
Odusanya urged the government and stakeholders to invest in awareness creation as the disease do not give sign.
"CVD prevention is worthwhile as it did not give any advance warning symptoms. So there is need for more awareness and the right time to start is now, we need to improve the capacity of health care workers by engaging them in regular training and awareness, this is not the responsibility of government alone all stakeholders, organisation, individual should participate in this process," he said.
Registering their commitment, commercial Director, Pfizer, Nigeria/Ghana, Olayinka Subair reiterated the company's goal of creating necessary awareness on CVD in Nigeria as a measure to help check its rising profile in the country.
He said the aim of the summit was to create awareness among Nigerians as many people do not go to the hospital until it becomes an emergency.
Also, he added it is to draw attention to management guidelines on the disease, create an avenue for clinical specialists and other health care professionals to share ideas on the need for early detection and management.
Source: ThisDay
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