From fun to death

By Fred Ezeh, Abuja

Cardiologists, under the umbrella of Nigerian Cardiac Society (NCS), gathered in Abuja last week to discuss cardiac care in Nigeria and the rising spate of cardiac problems, particularly among the younger demography, contrary to the trend some years ago.

There are indications that show cardiovascular ailments as some of the prominent non-communicable diseases that lead to a high number of deaths in Nigeria annually. The discussion was part of the 51st annual general meeting (AGM) and scientific conference of the NCS ,with the theme “Cardiovascular Diseases: From Prevention to Surgical Care: Progress, Gaps and Prospects.”

Doctors painted a sad picture of cardiac challenges in Nigeria, which have been the contributory factors to cases of sudden death or other severe health issues.

They highlighted that many Nigerians were using their hands and mouths ignorantly or otherwise to eat and do things detrimental to their health and eventually shorten their lifespan.

For instance, it was established that available records indicated that certain parts of the country have higher prevalence of cardiac challenges due to unhealthy lifestyles, particularly alcohol and tobacco consumption, as well as poor environment.

The doctors were worried over the kind of lifestyles of this generation of Nigerians, which, they said, are not healty and many people, despite enlightenment, still choose to do things that expose their health to greater harm.

Cardiac situation in Nigeria

President of NCS, Prof. Okechukwu Ogah, disclosed that data showed that cardiovascular issues were on the rise. This is because most people have chosen a wrong lifestyle and poor health-seeking behaviours, which have long-term effects on their health.

For instance, he said one in 100 pregnant women in the North West and North East come down with heart-related problems after childbirth due to yet-to-be understood causes. He said the cases could be prevented, if there was the opportunity for improved maternal care, sufficient knowledge and sensitisation of the women on the need for proper nutrition during pregnancy, proper ante-natal care and other relevant care required for safe pregnancyand childbirth.

He raised concerns that different parts of the country might record different levels of cardiac challenges in time to come due to different unhealthy foods and lifestyles that are peculiar to different areas: “Evidently, there’s high rate of tobacco and drugs consumption in the North, as well as alcohol and tobacco consumption in the South, among other unhealthy lifestyle and poor environmental issues in both regions.

“The field of cardiology is suffering same fate of brain drain (mass exodus of specialists) that has befallen other fields of medicine in Nigeria. For instance, doctor-to-patient ratio in Nigeria is poor (one to 1,000). That’s because many doctors and health workers have left the shores of Nigeria for a ‘better opportunity’ abroad.”

Causes of cardiac problems

Tobacco and alcohol consumption were identified as two of the major risk factors that increase someone’s chances to get down with heart issues. Obesity and poor environment are also identified.

Prof. Karen Sliwa, The University, Cape Town, South Africa, said: “The heart is a very delicate part of the body. Unfortunately, many people lack the relevant information and knowledge to protect the heart from harm. As a result, they pay for it, sometimes, with their lives.

“Cardiologists should increase sensitisation, particularly at community level, so that people can know the dangers of some of the things they do in the name of fun and pleasure. At younger age, you won’t feel the effects of these lifestyles much. As one advances in age, the symptoms will begin to show up conspicuously and different ailments following.”

Signs to watch out

Prof. Augustine Odili, University of Abuja Teaching Hospital, said: “People should look out for signs like shortness of breath, snoring, weakness of the body, swollen legs and occasional jump up during sleep at night searching for air and chest pain.

“Anyone who notices such signs should immediately seek the attention of a cardiologist as early as possible so that thorough examinations can be conducted and treatment commenced if necessary.”

Ogah, who is also of the University College Hospital (UCH),Ibadan, said: “In Nigeria, on average, 33 per cent of the adult population suffers high blood pressure, which is one of the major causes of heart disease. High blood pressure is responsible for sudden collapse and death among the people, kidney replacement and heart failure.

“A large percentage of heart diseases in Nigeria is due to heart muscle disease. Many are related to lifestyle, especially alcohol and tobacco consumption. Coronary artery disease is also becoming rampant and killing people. It’s associated with obesity, sugar-rich beverages and other unhealthy foods. Obstruction of the valves, which is mostly due to poor living environment, as throat infection is a sign that someone could come down with heart disease at immediate or long run.

How to guard your heart

“We should guard our hearts with due diligence for out of it cometh the issues of life. The heart should be protected from the identified risk factors that could lead to heart disease, firstly, smoking. Avoiding smoking means, avoiding heart diseases and other diseases that come with smoking.

“Excessive alcohol consumption is another thing that should be avoided. Alcohol consumption is dangerous not only to the heart but to the liver and other parts of the body. High blood pressure is another risk factor. For one reason or the other, high blood pressure is becoming more common in our environment, to the point that six out of 10 Nigerians aged 50 and above have high blood pressure.

“We must understand that as we age, some of these diseases start to appear. We must be prepared to take care of them by constantly checking on our blood pressure and avoiding fatty, sugar-rich and cholesterol foods. We must eat more vegetable foods and be more active.

Why people collapse, die

“So many things can lead to sudden collapse and death. On the heart side, there is what is called coronary artery disease. Anyone with such disease is at the risk of heart disease.

“Coronary artery is the artery that supplies blood to the heart. If it’s block for whatever reason, then blood cannot be supplied to the heart again. The heart will cease to work and that can result in sudden death.

“Similarly, people can die due to acute stroke. This is when blood supply system to the brain is blocked. Diabetes is another thing that can cause sudden death.

“People should often visit the hospital for regular checks whenever they notice changes in their bodies. When this is done, ailments are identified on time and are adequately treated. Then, life expectancy is prolonged.”