The Nation Newspaper

Tag: heart disease

  • Revolutionary drugs

    Revolutionary drugs

    The United States has developed new classes of drugs that could change civilisation, and Nigeria should not be left out.

    What is regarded as a miracle in one age is simply a routine in another. Medicine and technology have guaranteed this fact. For instance, the ability to fly across continents in an aircraft was a marvel for supernatural witchcraft until the 20th century. The discovery of penicillin and other antibiotics tackled infections, syphilis, meningitis, wounds and eased surgeries, many of which were death sentences. Hence some philosophers have asserted that many of the world’s problems were within the reach of humans to solve.

    As humanity evolves with disruptive inventions and discoveries, idealists think up new worlds. We are experiencing one today by way of new classes of drugs known as GLP-1 receptor agonists. The development of these classes of drugs has been in the works for about two decades, but the world, beginning with the United States, is beginning to see the effects of these drugs that medics are describing as the everything drugs.

    They began with the treatment of diabetes; then they are shrinking the obese. Now they are known to treat cardiovascular and kidney diseases. There is hope that they will defeat Alzheimer’s and addiction. One of the drugs in these classes is known as Semaglutide and it has been doing wonders against obesity. One in eight Americans are on the drug. One of the pharma companies, Novo Nordisk, makes Semaglutide. It also has Ozempic for diabetes and Wegovy for weight loss. Eli Lilly, another firm, sells tirzepatide, also for weight loss.

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    According to the Economist magazine, just these two firms and their drugs accounted for about $1 trillion in market value in 2021. With these everything drugs, we may be on the cusp of a revolutionary time for human triumph not only over diseases, but over the definition of the good life. For instance, its handling of obesity, diabetes, Alzheimer’s and addiction could redefine the meaning of addiction. Addiction may attract derision as a moral weakness or collapse but just a biological and curable condition. No more cocaine addict, opioid addict, alcohol addict, but conditions that require a pill and a time with a doctor or a monitoring nurse.

    It is a call to our ministry of health and top medical experts in the country to tap into this trend. It had been a United States phenomenon for years. Now other countries are joining. China, the United Kingdom and even Brazil are opening up to enjoy this refreshing medical facility.

    But it is not the exclusive of the west to develop this sort of medical revolution. Their advantage is their ability to create conducive environment for ingenuity, including a reward system. In the southwest of Nigeria, there has been a herbal mixture named ‘Gbogbonse’, which also means everything drug. It is known to cure a wide range of human illnesses. But it has remained on the fringes of medical discourse and even application.

    When the white man came to West Africa, especially after they came to settle for colonialism, many of them died from malaria, so much so that the region was called “the white man’s grave.” Then one Doctor Baikie developed quinine in the 19th century, and that made life easy for his folks. But the locals had been tackling mosquitoes for ages with local herbs. It is those herbs that the doctor manipulated to develop his quinine, which is the root of malaria treatments today. For instance, many Nigerians treated malaria with ‘dogonyaro’ leaves, which was boiled and drunk without a standard of dosage.

    Just like ‘Gbogbonse’, the new classes of drugs are not plucked from the American sky. They were extracted from herbs. The GLP-1 drugs, for instance, have shown from statistics to chasten the chances of opioid overdose and cannabis and alcohol abuse. One of the downsides to the drugs, like most medications, is that they have side effects. Another weakness is that patients may have to use them their whole lives. Three, it is also expensive to get any of them. Tirzepatide costs a whopping $500 a month. Another failing is what sociologists call the medicalisation of everyday life, which means permissive lifestyle may be normalised because there is always a medication to return the person to good health. The side effects include nausea, pancreatitis, diarrhoea and muscle loss. Diabetes, Alzheimer’s, heart disease and kidney disease have ranked among the top killers. Hence these classes of drugs have started the whispers about their ability for longevity. As the Economist, wrote, “as the contraceptive pill encouraged women to stay in education and work, so GLP-1 drugs could lead to profound economic and social change by enhancing productivity and freedom.”

    Our policy makers ought to key into this new medical development, although much of the work is still going on and the range of its applicability is still speculative. What is known already is stunning. As the drugs get cheaper, and they will eventually, our people should benefit from them. Time to start work on having them in this country is now, while we investigate how we can domesticate this genius and make our own variants for our own people.

  • Child needs N12m for heart surgery

    The arrival of their twin daughters brought joy to the family of Mr. and Mrs. Christopher Nwaugha. Now, that joy is threatened as one of the babies has been diagnosed with a heart disease.

    Nwaugha hails from Ngor Okpuala in Imo State but lives with his family in Umuahia, the Abia State capital.

    While the Nwaughas were basking in the euphoria of the babies’ arrival, the sad news came. One of the twins was diagnosed with a life-threatening ailment.

    According to a medical report, made available to our reporter by Mr. Nwaugha, the baby is diagnosed with a hole in the heart that needs urgent operation if the child would be alive to celebrate her first birthday.

    Nwaugha who is a federal civil servant has exhausted his money and needs the help of well-meaning Abians and Nigerians to come to the rescue of their family.

    Speaking to our reporter, Mr. Nwaugha who spoke amidst intermittent cries, said, “I am from Ngo Okpuala in Imo State.

    I live at No. 16, Road K, World Bank Housing Estate in Umuahia North Local Government Area of Abia State. I am a civil servant with the Federal Ministry of Environment, Calabar, Cross River State and I work in the accounts department.

    “One of my twin babies became sick after their delivery on October 26, 2018. They were delivered through CS (Caesarean Section). When we were still at the hospital after their delivery, the doctor who came to check on them noticed that one of the twins was breathing fast and hard.

    “In the two months that we spent at the hospital for close monitoring of the children, we were sent for scan from Federal Medical Center (FMC), Umuahia to University Teaching Hospital (UNTH), Enugu. It was found out that the baby has a very big hole in the heart.

    “They said that the operation will not be carried out in Nigeria. They said it can be operated in India, USA and another country that I cannot remember.

    “They don’t have the machine in Umuahia to scan a baby of two months. But in UNTH, they have the machine which enables one to see the heart of the baby and the hole on the screen. We saw everything through the scan. It was through the scan that I started imagining what my baby was going through.

    “Before the arrival of the twins, I already had three children; a boy and two girls. The last of them is about five years.

    “At the moment, it takes a lot of things including money to ensure that this baby stays alive daily. It hasn’t been easy, from sleeping at the hospital to taking care of other kids at home and combining them with my work. We stayed in hospital for about two months while they were monitoring the babies.

    “We were later discharged after it was established that one of the babies has a hole in the heart. We were however asked to be coming to the hospital every Tuesday in the week to check the baby and to get drugs. The baby is eating well, but the major challenge is her breathing; her breathing is so bad that you can’t even sleep with her.

    “Taking care of the two kids and their siblings has not been an easy thing. Immediately I receive my salary, it goes into taking care of the medical bills and meeting some of the needs of their siblings.

    “My sister and boss in the office have been assisting me financially whenever I run to them. I sometimes go to get loan from my bank (Access). When the month ends, they go to remittal to collect it. Sometimes, I take salary advance to buy their milk and pampers and when they pay salaries, the bank, like I said, will take whatever that I borrowed and leave the balance for me. That has been the way we have been managing all these while.

    “We got to know about the treatment in India through the doctor that has been taking care of the baby. What is holding us back is the money that we will use to pay the baby’s hospital bills and cover other logistics.

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    “The doctors in Enugu and Umuahia said that it may cost us about N10m-N12m to cover our medical and flight expenses. We have already made contacts with about two or three hospitals in India, but we can no longer go further since we don’t have the capital to push further the matter.

    “That is why we are making this appeal to Governor Okezie Ikpeazu and wife including other governors of the Southeast and philanthropists to please come to our help. This is a crucial time for our family. We need their help and cannot just sit and watch our child; Victory Chinwendu die helplessly. She deserves to live and we will go to any extent legally possibly to ensure that we get this matter solved.

    “I have equally been trying to reach the likes Kanu Nwankwo Heart Foundation, but all efforts seem to be futile.”

    The account number to make the donations is Fidelity Bank 5332205142 Nwugha Christopher O.

  • Chris Mba down with heart disease

    Veteran Nigerian singer, Chris Mba is said to be bedridden at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH).

    Notable journalist, Azuka Jebose who announced this at the weekend via a Facebook post said the Highlife singer was down with a heart disease.

    According to Jebose, the ‘Baby Don’t Cry’ crooner sent him a distressed WhatsApp message, seeking urgent financial assistance for his medical treatment.

    He was quoted to have said: “Jebose this is a serious health challenge for me and my family. Please, my brother, help me… Jebose, we buy drugs every day and hospital bed costs N50k.”

    Rising to the occasion, Jebose pleaded with Nigerians to save the singer’s life by donating N5, 000 each, saying; “My dear friends and followers, preliminary tests indicated that Chris is receiving a heart condition treatments and desperately needs our help… I appeal to everyone to please donate N5K each to help Chris pay for his daily care… This is urgent situation.”

    He said donation can be made to the ailing singer’s Stanbic IBTC Bank account with number 9201105829.

    In the message tagged: ”A Sick Heart: Singer Chris Mba Pleads For “Everlasting Fund”, Jebose described Mba as the young Jerry curled singer who, in 1983 stunned Nigeria’s music scene with his debut album, ‘Everlasting Love’.

    “How times fly when you are aging,” he said, adding that, “Like all mortals, age, time and health caught up with Chris and his generation. These times, our legend is ailing with life-threatening heart disease and broke…”

    Signed to Premier Records, Mba’s other songs include ‘Funky Situation’, ‘Take it to the Top’, ‘Making my Way’, and ‘Everybody Needs a Friend’.

  • NIMASA partners foundation on heart disease

    The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) has partnered with the Nigerian Heart Foundation (NHF) to create awareness on the dangers of heart diseases.

    Director General of the agency Dr. Dakuku Peterside stated this yesterday in a chat with reporters in Lagos ahead of the NHF Charity Golf tournament slated for September 1 in Port-Harcourt, Rivers State.

    Dakuku, who was represented by the Head, Corporate Communications of NIMASA, Isichei Osamgbi, charged Nigerians to embrace physical exercises to prevent the risk of heart related diseases.

    He said NIMASA is partnering with NHF as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) “to lend its voice towards awareness on heart related diseases to help save lives”.

    Executive Director NHF, Dr. Kingsley Akinroye, said plans are underway to raise N100million from the tournament to raise awareness on the disease.

  • Heart Disease: Death rate in men doubles after 40 – Cardiologist

    Prof. Janet Ajuluchukwu, College of Medicine, Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Idi-Araba says men have more heart problems than women with death rates doubling after age 40.

    Ajuluchukwu made this assertion while speaking withOur reporter in an interview on Saturday in Lagos.

    The professor said researches carried out proved that many men do not go to the hospital until too late and with late diagnosis, they were more prone to heart problems.

    The cardiologist stressed the need for men to go for regular checkups because conditions such as hypertension do not come with obvious signs.
    “Right now, my interest has gone to men because all over the world the men think that they are stronger.

    “There is this perception that they are strong and that they won’t go to the hospital.

    “They believe it is a sign of weakness to say they are sick and have gone to the hospital.

    “Many patients will come and beat their chest and say, for the last 40 years, I have not been to the hospital.

    “And I always tell them it is not responsible not to go to the hospital when you are sick.’’

    Ajuluchukwu noted that women were more proactive and would usually take advantage of the opportunities they had to have themselves checked whenever they visited the hospital.

    “Women have more opportunities. They take their mothers to hospital; they take their children to hospital; when they’re pregnant, they go for antenatal.

    “They’re always around the healthcare professionals, so they take advantage of it,” she stressed.

    She advised men to go for urine, blood pressure and sugar tests regularly.

    The cardiologist disclosed that healthcare professionals were searching for innovative ways targeted to reach out to men.

    She urged everyone to help persuade the men around them to go for regular checkups.

    “We want it to be everybody’s job. We have mothers, we have sisters and we have brothers. Let everybody try to encourage the men.”

  • Heart-healthy diet: steps to prevent heart disease

    Control your portion size

    How much you eat is just as important as what you eat. Overloading your plate, taking seconds and eating until you feel stuffed can lead to eating more calories than you should. Portions served in restaurants are often more than anyone needs.

    Use a small plate or bowl to help control your portions. Eat larger portions of low-calorie, nutrient-rich foods, such as fruits and vegetables, and smaller portions of high-calorie, high-sodium foods, such as refined, processed or fast foods. This strategy can  shape up your diet as well as your heart and waistline.

    Keep track of the number of servings you eat. A serving size is a specific amount of food, defined by common measurements such as cups, ounces or pieces. For example, one serving of pasta is 1/2 cup, or about the size of a hockey puck. A serving of meat, fish or chicken is about 2 to 3 ounces, or about the size and thickness of a deck of cards. Judging serving size is a learned skill. You may need to use measuring cups and spoons or a scale until you’re comfortable with your judgment.

     

    Eat more vegetables and fruits

    Vegetables and fruits are good sources of vitamins and minerals. Vegetables and fruits are also low in calories and rich in dietary fiber. Vegetables and fruits contain substances found in plants that may help prevent cardiovascular disease. Eating more fruits and vegetables may help you eat less high-fat foods, such as meat, cheese and snack foods.

    Featuring vegetables and fruits in your diet can be easy. Keep vegetables washed and cut in your refrigerator for quick snacks. Keep fruit in a bowl in your kitchen so that you’ll remember to eat it. Choose recipes that have vegetables or fruits as the main ingredients, such as vegetable stir-fry or fresh fruit mixed into salads.

    Fruits and vegetables to choose    Fruits and vegetables to limit

    Fresh or frozen vegetables and fruits

    Low-sodium canned vegetables

    Canned fruit packed in juice or water

    Coconut

    Vegetables with creamy sauces

    Fried or breaded vegetables

    Canned fruit packed in heavy syrup

    Frozen fruit with sugar added

    Select whole grains

    Whole grains are good sources of fiber and other nutrients that play a role in regulating blood pressure and heart health. You can increase the amount of whole grains in a heart-healthy diet by making simple substitutions for refined grain products. Or be adventuresome and try a new whole grain, such as whole-grain farro, quinoa or barley.

     

    Grain products to choose

    Grain products to limit or avoid

    Whole-wheat flour

    Whole-grain bread, preferably 100% whole-wheat bread or 100% whole-grain bread

    High-fiber cereal with 5 g or more of fiber in a serving

    Whole grains such as brown rice, barley and buckwheat (kasha)

    Whole-grain pasta

    • Oatmeal (steel-cut or regular)
    • White, refined flour
    • White bread
    • Muffins
    • Frozen waffles
    • Corn bread
    • Doughnuts
    • Biscuits
    • Quick breads
    • Cakes
    • Pies
    • Egg noodles
    • Buttered popcorn
    • High-fat snack crackers
    • Limit unhealthy fats

    Limiting how much saturated and trans fats you eat is an important step to reduce your blood cholesterol and lower your risk of coronary artery disease. A high blood cholesterol level can lead to a buildup of plaques in your arteries, called atherosclerosis, which can increase your risk of heart attack and stroke.

    The American Heart Association offers these guidelines for how much fat to include in a heart-healthy diet:

    Type of fat Recommendation

    Saturated fat Less than 7 percent of your total daily calories, or less than 14 g of saturated fat if you follow a 2,000-calorie-a-day diet

    Trans fatLess than one percent of your total daily calories, or less than 2 g of trans fat if you follow a 2,000-calorie-a-day diet

    The best way to reduce saturated and trans fats in your diet is to limit the amount of solid fats — butter, margarine and shortening — you add to food when cooking and serving. You can also reduce the amount of saturated fat in your diet by trimming fat off your meat or choosing lean meats with less than 10 percent fat.

    You can also use low-fat substitutions when possible for a heart-healthy diet. For example, top your baked potato with low-sodium salsa or low-fat yogurt rather than butter, or use sliced whole fruit or low-sugar fruit spread on your toast instead of margarine.

    You may also want to check the food labels of some cookies, crackers and chips. Many of these snacks — even those labeled “reduced fat” — may be made with oils containing trans fats. One clue that a food has some trans fat in it is the phrase “partially hydrogenated” in the ingredient list.

    When you do use fats, choose monounsaturated fats, such as olive oil or canola oil. Polyunsaturated fats, found in certain fish, avocados, nuts and seeds, also are good choices for a heart-healthy diet. When used in place of saturated fat, monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats may help lower your total blood cholesterol. But moderation is essential. All types of fat are high in calories.

    An easy way to add healthy fat (and fiber) to your diet is ground flaxseed. Flaxseeds are small brown seeds that are high in fiber and omega-3 fatty acids. Studies have found that flaxseeds may help lower cholesterol in some people. You can grind the seeds in a coffee grinder or food processor and stir a teaspoon of them into yogurt, applesauce or hot cereal.

     

    Fats to choose   Fats to limit

    • Olive oil
    • Canola oil
    • Vegetable and nut oils
    • Margarine, trans fat free
    • Cholesterol-lowering margarine, such as Benecol, Promise Activ or Smart Balance
    • Nuts, seeds
    • Avocados
    • Butter
    • Lard
    • Bacon fat
    • Gravy
    • Cream sauce
    • Nondairy creamers
    • Hydrogenated margarine and shortening
    • Cocoa butter, found in chocolate
    • Coconut, palm, cottonseed and palm-kernel oils
    • Source: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/heart-disease/

  • How can I live a healthier, longer life despite heart disease?

    Perhaps you have a heart disease, perhaps you don’t, perhaps a close relative or a friend does – don’t panic. Anyone can live a healthier, longer life despite heart disease. How? Don’t worry, I’ll get there. Before I do, it is important to note that, unfortunately, heart disease, especially hypertensive heart disease, is the leading cause of death among adult and aged Nigerians. Also remember, this statement does not need to apply to you and your loved ones, which is the purpose of this article.

    First, you need to know what heart disease means. Heart disease refers to any condition that causes the heart not to function appropriately. For example, atherosclerosis heart disease results from the build-up of plaques that clutters the arteries and vessels, thereby causing the heart to pump against high resistance. Other examples of heart diseases include hypertensive heart disease, congenital heart defects, coronary heart disease, inflammatory heart disease, ischaemic heart disease, rheumatic heart disease, and so on. All these heart conditions cause the heart not to pump well, which can cause heart failure, and even heart attack. If not monitored well, they can lead to cardiac arrest, and worst, sudden cardiac death.

    Secondly, you need to know if you’re either at risk of developing a heart disease, or at risk of complicating your existing heart-related condition. So, who is at risk? The answer is anyone and everyone, especially:

    Unborn babies in the womb (foetus)

    Adults from their 30s, and the aged

    Youths in their 20s with excessive drinking and/or smoking habits

    Individuals with diabetes, high cholesterol, high blood pressure and kidney disease

    Individuals with a family history of heart (-related) diseases

    Women experiencing their menopause

    Thirdly, you need to know the factors that increases your risk of having heart disease, and your loved ones:

    For an unborn baby: taking non-prescribed medications, not controlling and monitoring existing diseases such as diabetes and hypertension in the mother, not keeping up with your immunisation schedule, stressing a lot, drinking alcohol and smoking, and taking hard drugs.

    For children, adults, and aged folk: smoking or dwelling for long in smoke-filled environments, eating an unhealthy, salt-rich diet, non-compliance with prescribed medications, and physical inactivity.

    Fourthly, you need to know the symptoms of heart disease, and know that they vary depending on the kind of heart condition and individual.

    For many Nigerians, chest pain and discomfort in the arms, upper abdomen, or shoulder are the first signs

    Pain or discomfort in the face and neck area, including the jaw and tooth ache

    Physical weakness and light headedness

    Breathlessness, Gasping, Panting, Shortness of Breath

    Cold sweat

    Swollen ankles and foot

    Feeling ‘sick to your stomach’/nausea

    Make daily lifestyle changes to help reduce your risk of (further) heart complications including:

    Maintaining a healthy, balanced diet that is rich in fruits and vegetables, and foods low in saturated fats. Eat whole grain products, fish, beans, and lean meat.

    Avoiding drinking alcohol by reducing your intake (including red wine!), or simply never start drinking.

    Maintaining a healthy weight. Have you checked your BMI lately? If no, check and talk to a doctor about your weight if it doesn’t feel right.

    Quit smoking and protect yourself from tobacco by avoiding smoke-filled environments.

    Get active! A 30-minute walk everyday can help reduce the likelihood of a heart attack and stroke. Please, avoid aggressive, heart heavy sports – leave that for healthy teenagers – plus, I prefer football for the kids. Before adults embark on any form of excessive exercise/sport such as tennis and football, check your numbers (see the next point).

    Know your numbers: check your blood pressure, cholesterol and glucose levels regularly.

    Carefully take your medication as prescribed – don’t wait until your first ICU admission to make a change. Instead, avoid it by carefully taking your medication.

    Take your existing heart conditions seriously, especially high blood pressure.

    Finally, discuss with your cardiologist about the best ways to reduce your heart disease risk. Join a heart healthy club such as LECC’s Cardiac and Vascular Care Programme for those with chronic heart condition.

    • Dr. Alli is Consultant Cardiologist at Lagos Executive Cardiovascular Clinic

  • ‘Nigerians risk heart disease’

    The Group Communications Manager of Philips Africa, Radhika Choksey, has said 77 per cent of Nigerians are at the risk of Cardio Vascular Diseases (CVD, or heart complications) because they do not show concern about their health.

    Choksey, who addressed reporters yesterday in Lagos, noted that CVD was the leading cause of deaths worldwide.

    He said it resulted in over 17.5 million deaths in 2015 and accounted for more costs than any other chronic illness.

    The communication manager regretted that awareness levels about the disease was low because over 50 per cent of Nigerians were unaware of heart diseases.

    Announcing the company’s partnership with the World Heart Federation, Choksey said it would enable people to manage their heart conditions.

    He said: “Philips objective is to encourage the public to take personal responsibility for leading heart’s healthy lives and raise awareness about CVD.”

    Choksey noted that most CVD cases could be prevented by changing behaviour and eliminating risk factors.

  • Fish, olive oil better at treating heart disease

    Eating plenty of vegetables, nuts and olive oil is more effective than drugs such as statins in treating heart disease, an “extraordinary” study suggests.

    Patients who stuck to a Mediterranean diet were a third less likely to die early than those who preferred red meat and butter, Italian researchers found. As the findings were reported, the national health service (NHS) in Britain was urged to subsidise fruit and vegetables and start prescribing healthy eating to millions of people with heart trouble.

    A diet rich in fish and fruit has long been known to be good for the heart, but the latest results are the first to show that Mediterranean eating patterns could prevent deaths, even in those who are already ill.

    Giovanni de Gaetano, of the IRCCS Neuromed Institute in Pozzilli, central Italy, the study’s senior author, said: “So far research has focused on the general population, which is mainly composed of healthy people. What happens to people who have already suffered from cardiovascular disease? Is the Mediterranean diet optimal for them too?”

    His study answered this question with a resounding “yes” after looking at 1,200 people with a history of heart attacks, strokes and blocked arteries. Over seven years, 208 patients died but the closer people were to an ideal Mediterranean diet the less likely they were to be among the fatalities.

    Those who ate mainly along Mediterranean lines were 37 per cent less likely to die during the study than those who were furthest from them, after adjusting for age, sex, class, exercise and other habits, Professor de Gaetano told the European Society of Cardiology congress in Rome yesterday.

    “Doctors should inquire about the dietary habits of patients and of course they will continue to prescribe drugs such as statins, aspirin or whatever, but we can’t look at drugs as the only way of [saving lives],” he said.

    Professor de Gaetano said that it did not make sense that the NHS would pay for drugs but not for healthy food and that government should find a way to “contribute to the expense of the Mediterranean diet”.

    Sir David Nicholson, former chief executive of the NHS, said last month that he had stopped taking cholesterol-lowering statins over fears of side-effects and was relying on diet and exercise. “If a lifestyle change works then why would you take the statin?” he said.

    Professor de Gaetano said that many of the patients he studied would have been taking drugs such as statins. He insisted his findings meant that having a better diet as well as taking pills could bring an even bigger benefit. The researchers were sure that the results were not due to the patients taking statins because the study controlled for cholesterol-lowering treatment.

    Aseem Malhotra, a British cardiologist, said: “The Mediterranean diet is more powerful than any drug at reducing death rates in cardiovascular disease … It’s time for the NHS to embrace lifestyle medicine to rapidly save it from the collapse being predominantly driven by diet-related disease.”

  • Heart disease number one killer in Nigeria, says expert

    Heart disease number one killer in Nigeria, says expert

    •Babcock to launch N2b centre

    Heart diseases now kill more than infectious diseases in Nigeria, a professor of cardiology, Kamar Adeleke, has said.

    The don, who spoke yesterday ahead of tomorrow’s launch of the Tri-State Heart and Vascular Centre at the Babcock University, said heart disease has overtaken malaria and tuberculosis.

    “Just about 20 years ago, the number one killer in Africa was infectious diseases. In the past five years, the number one killer has been heart disease, followed by stroke.

    “Life expectancy in Kenya is 69; in the U.S. it is 68; while in Nigeria, it is 51-52. The silent killer is heart disease,” he said.

    Adeleke was optimistic that the opening of the centre in Nigeria would reduce the incidence of heart-related deaths.

    He praised Babcock University for collaborating with the Tri-State Cardiovascular Associates to establish the centre in seven months to improve healthcare for Nigerians.

    So far, the professor of cardiology said the university had sunk N2 billion into the project.

    Babcock University Vice Chancellor Prof. Kayode Makinde said the university would ensure those who need financial assistance were not turned away.

    “The policy we have at Babcock University is that nobody will be turned away because of funds.  The procedures are not cheap.  We are appealing to corporate entities to support people,” he said.

    Underscoring the importance of building local capacity to prevent and treat heart diseases in Nigeria, he said it was disgraceful for Nigerians to fly abroad to seek medical healthcare.

    Tomorrow’s programme will feature the launch of the Tri-State Foundation, which Prof. Adeleke said would raise funds to support surgeries for indigent patients.   Dignitaries expected at the event include the Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi, who would inaugurate the centre; Chief Medical Director, University Teaching Hospital, Ibadan, Prof. Temitope Alonge, the guest speaker; Chief Bisi Akande, and John Momoh, who are on the board of the foundation, among others.