Follow Us on Google
By Doris Obinna
Cardiologists both local and international have urged physicians to apply a holistic approach when assessing patients diagnosed with high blood fat, high cholesterol and others.
They disclosed that a number of factors, such as smoking, obesity, blood sugar, blood pressure, and alcohol intake should be considered as risk factors.
Speaking in Lagos at an International symposium on cardiology chapter 1, organized by Hetero Labs Nigeria Limited, with the theme: “Revolutionising Heart Failure Care in Africa, Unveiling the Gold standard ARNI Therapy,” the experts emphaised for personalised care for diagnosed patients.
They urged physicians to create a risk profile that will enable an effective approach to treatment plan.
A Professor of Medicine, College of Medicine University of Lagos and Consultant Cardiologist, Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Prof Aman Mbakwem, who spoke on the topic: “Dyslipidemia: Navigating the Maze, Choosing the Right Therapeutic Option,” explained that dyslipidemia is abnormally elevated cholesterol or fats (lipids) in the blood.
According to her, when this happens, it increases the chance of clogged arteries and heart attacks, stroke or other circulatory concerns, especially in smokers while in adults, it’s often related to obesity, unhealthy diet and lack of exercise.
She said: “The fat that accumulates in your body it’s the fat that clogs up the arteries. It lines up the inner part, and you know, that’s the bad fat. It is like when your kitchen sink gets clogged and you get a plumber to unclog it, so, that’s how the fat eats out the arteries.
“Once this happens, it can grow and grow and grow and once it covers the whole artery, it means there is no blood supply beyond that point, and we’re saying we need to control that. Even then it’s not just the fat. If you have fat and you have high blood pressure and you have diabetes, your risk for cardiac damage is multiplied.
“So, to our physicians, look at that; put people in a risk profile. Check if they’re at low risk or high risk. Are they at moderate risk? This would help determine the amount of medication and how aggressive they will be treated. Because when people are at high risk, it means that the possibility of them dying or having an event within the next 10 years is quite high.
“Statins, a medication for dyslipidemia, don’t just lower the cholesterol; it also helps make the lining of the arteries healthier and reduces the risk of blood clots. So what we’re saying to physicians is to assess and look at patients properly and holistically.”
Also, Professor of Medicine, the University of Texas, Prof Robert Chilton, said, the benefit and use of angiotensin receptor-neprilysin inhibitor (ARNI), is one of the most powerful heart failure agents.
Chilton, who spoke on the topic: “Early Detection and Management of Chronic Stable Angina,” stated that beta blockers lower heart rate, but they also decrease pump function, and calcium channel blockers do very similar things.
He said: “My recommendation for physicians when confronted with patients with reduced ejection fraction or patients that actually have heart failure or chronic syndromes, would be; recommend them to their regimen to be sure that they’re taking an ARNI. This actually improves the actual reduction in mortality for the patient.”
On his part, Head of Operations, Hetero Labs Nigeria Limited, Biswan Nayak noted that the event is an international symposium where cardiologists both local and international together shared knowledge on health challenges.
“It’s all about sharing the knowledge and asking the questions and getting to understand each other in what type of structure about how we can improve health and create a healthier world. That is the motto behind the symposium Hetero-Edge.
“For 12 years I have been working for Nigeria, the company only specializes in the ARVs, HIV drugs and is now finally going towards the cardio gastro drugs as well as urology and orthopedic drugs.”
Nayak, who is also a Country Manager, Nigeria added that the company is coming with a lot of products, “new launches will come which will make us penetrate the market and with available drugs like we are launching the one product like Sacuvan, Nizacard and other branded generics. We are just launching the product and it is for heart failure and when there is angina, that is; unstable, severe angina.
“We have a brand of niche drug which is taking care of both cardio segments of therapy and because, statistically, in Africa there are more than 40 per cent of patients suffering with heart failure or cardiac issues.
“There is a lot of uncertainty because of food, lifestyle and others. So, we are here to make a real impact and to serve a healthier Nigeria.”
