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Tag: hypertension

  • ‘36.2 percent of Kirikiri prisoners are hypertensive’

    ‘36.2 percent of Kirikiri prisoners are hypertensive’

    About 36.2 percent of inmates currently undergoing jail terms in Kirikiri Federal Prison are hypertensive; a study conducted by Neimeth International Plc has shown.

    The study revealed that out of a sample of 69 inmates, only 25 inmates in the facility have low blood pressure.

    Neimeth Managing Director, Pharm. Emmanuel Ekunno while awarding three distinguished individuals in the country who have contributed to cardiovascular medicines, Thursday in Abuja identified need for massive campaign against upsurge of hypertension in the nation.

    He disclosed that the ailment has also spread to the juvenile which according to him led the organization to embark on free high blood pressure test in Lagos State.

    However, Ekunno stated that the awardee, Prof. Solomon Danbauchi, Prof. Basil Okeahialam and Dr. Damatris Osunkwo were conferred Fight the Good Fight Against Hypertension (FITGAH) Ambassador to advocate and counsel the public on ways to avoid hypertension.

    In the report titled Evidence Based FITGAH programmes, Ekunno said the campaign is a good fight that should be won in partnership with relevant stakeholders such as Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) and the Federal ministry of Health.

    “FITGAH was designed to reduce hypertension and address its consequences including strokes, kidney damage and sudden death,” he said.

    In his remark, Danbauchi emphasized that the ailment is caused as a result of excess salt intake, obesity, stress among others.

    He listed ignorance, religious bias and poverty among other contributing factors.

    Describing hypertension as a silent killer, Danbauchi who is the Chairman, West African College of Physicians Internal Medicine noted that the ailment has no symptom.

  • Students tackle hypertension, diabetes

    Students tackle hypertension, diabetes

    As part of their Health Week, Pharmacy students of the University of Benin (UNIBEN) have launched “Pharmacare 10,000”, a scheme aimed at providing free medical care to 10,000 people suffering from diabetes and hypertension. EZEKIEL EFEOBHOKHAN (400-Level Pharmacy) reports.

    As they trooped out, nothing else preoccupied their minds except to ensure they are not suffering from hypertension and diabetes. The two ailments, according to experts, kill their sufferers faster and cause life-time damage.

    The event held at the New Benin Market, Benin City, the Edo State capital, where traders gathered to take part in a medical outreach organised by the Pharmacy students of the University of Benin (UNIBEN).

    Armed with drugs and medical equipment, the students moved to the market to treat the traders of various ailments and educate them on how to win the battle against diabetes and hypertension. This was part of the activities marking their health week.

    Addressing the traders, Darry Emazor, president of Pharmaceutical Association of Nigerian Students (PANS), described diabetes as a killer disease, dispelling the myth that the disease is a spiritual affliction.

    He said: “We are here to give all traders an orientation and provide health services for those who are suffering from treatable ailments. We don’t want them to suffer because of their ignorance. If the drugs are costly, they are the ones who bear the brunt and die in silence because of wrong prescription. This is why we have come to help the traders manage and prevent diabetes and hypertension.” The health week, tagged: Pharmacare 10,000, was organised to cater for 10,000 persons that may be suffering from hypertension and diabetes within the state. The students believe the ailments could be reduced if people could have knowledge on how they could be managed.

    Many traders were tested of various ailments, but some of them who had hypertension were ignorant of the disease.

    According to Jennifer Omuri, a 500-Level student and a member of the outreach counselling section, many ignorant people die of the diseases. She said many people she counselled did not know the implications of what they eat and drink, and how the environment they live in affect their lives.

    Her words: “After counselling a trader, she did not know that too much fat is injurious to her health. I told her that the fat could lead to different clinical conditions if it gets to a certain limit”.

    Jennifer also advised most of the traders who visited her to visit the hospital, adding that she advised them to conduct regular exercise to reduce excess fat in their systems.

    Commending the students, a member of the Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN), who gave his name as Papa Monday, said: “If the students did not come to organise this programme, I would have been ignorant of the need to reduce my sugar intake. After they tested me, I was told sugar in my blood is in excess. They advised that I should stop taking local gin and gave me referral to see doctor.”

    The Anti-Drug Misuse and Abuse Program (ADMAP) President, Chinenye Ihejirika, said she was surprised by the turnout, praising the sponsors of the event for providing drugs and equipment to make the outreach successful. She urged members of the association to imbibe good attitude to affect lives of host communities, saying it would help to cultivate care in the heart of students.

    The students extended the free medical service to their colleagues on campus. They mounted a canopy at Hall One Car Park, where students gathered to check their Body Mass Index (BMI). Female students were tested freely on a wide range of ailments and given orientation on how they could live healthier life in their hostel.

    Speaking to the crowd, Peace Ibadin, a Pharmacy student, urged those present to imbibe good eating habits, saying improper eating culture could lead to intestinal problems.

    He said: “We plead with all our colleagues to maintain hygiene in preparing the food. We know many of us would want to place ourselves on a diet to control our weights and fat distribution in our bodies. That may be good but it could also lead to ulcer. This is the reason many students are suffering ulcer.”

    Darry thanked the students for attending the outreach, saying the association would continue to embark on the outreach to make the campus free of diseases.

     

  • Firm wages war against hypertension

    Pharmaceutical giant, Neimeth International has announced a 50 per cent reduction in cost of its hypertension medications. It said the gesture aims at reducing the ever- increasing cases of hypertension in Nigeria.

    Neimeth’s Managing Director, Mr Emmanuel Ekunno, spoke at Ibadan, the Oyo State capital during the conferment of FITGAH ambassador on Prof. Babatunde Salako, the Provost College of Medicine University of Ibadan.

    Ekunno, who remarked that 70 per cent of Nigerians on hypertension medications usually go on drug holiday as a result of their inability to purchase the drugs due to high cost, saying such action, exposes them to complication of the disease such as stroke and kidney damage.

    He also said the price reduction was to increase affordability, availability and accessibility to hypertension medications.

    While urging individuals to know their status by regularly having their blood pressures measured, the Neimeth boss advised that Nigerians should not be victims of hypertension, but victors by equipping themselves with information on the disease and taking appropriate steps to regulate their blood pressures.

    He said: “You need to equip yourself and be a better patient. By losing 10 per cent of body weight translates to 10 per cent reduction in blood pressure.”

    Ekunno said the company had decided to embark on the fight against hypertension through a multi-pronged approach, including mass screening, establishment of cardiovascular support units and collaboration with clinics and pharmacies to make drugs available, adding that Neimeth’s dream is that anti-hypertensive drugs will be free in Nigeria.

    The Vice-Chancellor University of Ibadan, Prof. Isaac Adewole, who commended the company’s collaboration with scientists at the university, described hypertension as a disease that is rife with many dos and don’ts, urging that the firm comes up with hypertension medication which its use is once in a year.

    He canvassed more research into the incidence of hypertension in the community, saying that ordinarily, it was expected that hypertension cases should be more in urban areas rather than in rural areas.

    Appreciating his conferment as FITGAH ambassador, Prof. Salako said Neimeth should be commended for championing the fight against hypertension, adding that the price slash was exemplary and epitomises a robust approach to taming hypertension, which he described as a silent killer.

  • Journalists tested for hypertension, diabetes

    Journalists tested for hypertension, diabetes

    Journalists in Lagos have been screened for hypertension and diabetes-. the two major causes of cardiovascular diseases.

    The exercise was held by Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Lagos Council in conjunction with the Cardiac and Renal Centre (CRC), Lagos.

    The team’s arrow head, Dr. Ngozi Aikpokpo, urged journalists and the public to do routine medical checkups for a healthier lifestyle.

    Dr Aikpokpo said: “Based on this screening, we discovered that about 30 percent of those screened have high blood pressure while about eight percent have high blood sugar without knowing, which is very dangerous. These two diseases cause serious complications in people who have them.

    “This is trying to raise awareness among the populace on the essence of regular screening and a social-corporate responsibility on our part. We are giving back to the society and we feel there is no better category of people to do it for than those who are the custodian of news themselves,” Dr Aikpokpo said.

    NUJ chairman Mr Deji Elumoye praised CRC for its gesture, calling on journalists to take their health seriously despite work pressure.

    Some of the beneficiaries also expressed their appreciation to the union and CRC for the screening which they described as helpful and enlightening.

     

  • Firm to increase hypertension check in Nigeria

    Omron Healthcare is seeking to ensure every home in Nigeria has a blood pressure monitor to check hypertension – a killer disease.

    Its President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Europe, Mr Andre Van Gils said the disease is a killer that should be addressed promptly because most hypertensives do not know they have it.

    Gils spoke at a conference organised by Omron’s partner, New Heights Pharmaceuticals (NHP) in Lagos.

    He said the best way to tackle it is through prevention, which could only be achieved by monitoring the blood pressure numbers regularly.

    “One in three adults in the country has high blood pressure (HBP). The device would ensure people do more home measurement of the blood pressure,” he said.

    Gils said many people did not use the monitor, and as such the company had no market share in Nigeria despite being one of the largest in the world. “One out of every two monitor sold is from our firm,” he added.

    He said Omron, which is a Japanese company, has been addressing lifestyle-related diseases, such as hypertension, and respiratory diseases like asthma.

    “We will help the children who are asthmatic get better. We will also educate healthcare workers on the disease.

    “Our company was established over 80 years and it has been working for the benefit of the society. This will be replicated in Nigeria. We are all about quality, accuracy and durability,” Gils said.

    He said there is a 10-year plan to develop healthcare industry in Nigeria.

    “Our main goal is to create awareness. We will see how fast we can increase awareness in Lagos. We will also see how we can help hospitals in the country. In most markets, it takes between five to 10 years. I cannot commit to a number but there will be improvement,” Gils said.

    The president advised the people to reduce their salt intake, exercise regularly and embrace nutrition, among other prevention strategies.

    Managing Director, NHP, Mr Omaruaye Ogheneochuko said people, especially adults, who are more susceptible to the disease, should be more responsive to their health. “Nobody would take care of you than yourself,” he added.

    He said the health system is not what it should be, hence the need for people to have monitors to prevent it.

  • Experts: hypertension cases rising

    Hypertension, a killer disease, is rising, says a pharmaceutical company, Sanofi Nigeria. The company said Nigeria has the highest hypertension case in Africa because of its population.

    Its General Manager (GM), Abderrahmane Chakibi said the firm has produced a drug for better management of the condition, adding that hypertensives would get better if they use it.

    He said: “Hypertension is a burden in Nigeria and Sanofi is committed to strengthen the hope of hypertensive patients.”

    The company’s Medical and Regulatory Director, Dr Inoussa Fifen, described hypertension as a ‘silent killer’, which has led to the untimely death of many.

    He said most of the hypertensive patients die due to lack of awareness on what steps to take to curtail it.

    Fifen urged everybody to go for hypertension screening to know their health status.

    The company, he said, is committed to leading the way in integrated hypertension care, adding: “Sanofi worked tirelessly on a research case to effectively curb this silent killer.

    “We want to make sure everybody is able to afford our drugs on the field.”

    Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), Chief Medical Director (CMD), Prof Wale Oke pointed out that hypertension appears to be unstoppable, stressing: “We must prevent hypertensive patients from dying. We are fighting the damage caused by this condition.”

    President, Nigerian Cardiac Society (NCS), Dr Amam Mbakwem said more than 80 per cent of hypertensive patients have additional co-morbidities, adding: “Thorough investigation must be done while treating hypertensive patients.”

    Mbakwem, who spoke on the management of hypertension beyond blood pressure control, said a diabetic patient whose blood pressure (BP) is 140/90, may have higher risk than a patient with a BP of 180/100 without any co-morbidity.

    “Individualise treatment based on the information you gather. Two patients of 130/ 80 are not the same,” she said.

    The United Kingdom (UK), she said, has 50 per cent hypertension control while United States (US) has 55 per cent control.

    “We think we have controlled hypertension, yet people have stroke, heart failure and kidney failure. BP vulnerability also needs to be controlled,” he said.

    The cardiologist urged doctors to commence treatment from the first day patients report to the hospital.

    “Treatment should start immediately, not specifically with drugs. Doctors should advise their patients to change their lifestyle, eating habits and exercise regularly.

    Doctors, she said, should be considerate in the way they approach patients.

    “The change in prevalence is already being seen in Nigeria. We need to make the patients feel like stakeholders”, she said.

    She advised patients to buy and use their medications because non-adherence is expensive.

    Head, Renal unit, Obafemi Awolowo University, Prof. Adewale Akinsola, represented by Dr. Ademola Aderibigbe, said hypertension prevalence is higher in urban areas compared to rural areas.

    He enjoined doctors to be detailed while evaluating patients with high blood pressure (HBP).

    “The problem is we do not know if we are treating hypertension. Besides, causes of hypertension are secondary.”

    Combination of therapy, he said, is very helpful in managing hypertension especially when the therapies complement each other, adding: “Combination therapy is more effective, particularly in the high risk of hypertensives.”

    People, he said, should check their BP constantly so as to know the best time to visit a doctor. “Those who have BP are not mostly those who break stones or drill holes,” he added.

    Aderibigbe advised people to be wary of their salt consumption, saying “it triggers high BP. Moreover, there is almost a direct line between salt intake and BP.

    “Six grammes of salt a day is okay for the kidney” he said.

    According to the Medical Officer, Igando-Ikotun Local Council Development Area (LCDA), Dr Sunday Orebiyi, people in this age category hardly screen for hypertension, which is a precursor to stroke and other diseases. Orebiyi spoke during a free hypertension screening organised by Tyonex Healthcare Limited in Igando. It was tagged Health Awareness Programme for You (HAPY).

    Dr Orebiyi said such intervention was necessary as it helps to fill the gaps for those who do not have access to healthcare due to distance, heavy schedule and lack of personnel, among others.

    The public health physician said most 40 years and above have poor health attitude, adding that bringing the screening closer to them would ensure they know their health status and address any problem that might arise.

    Orebiyi said hypertension is related to stroke among other conditions.

    “It is hypertension that triggers diabetes while the later causes high blood cholesterol,” he said.

    He charged them to avoid red meat, adding that scaly fish would do them a lot of good. “If they are going to eat meat at all then it should be lean meat, which is almost white. They should also avoid congealed vegetable oil,” Orebiyi added.

    Managing Director, Tyonex, Mr Emmanuel Agba said many adults shied away from knowing their health status. This, he said, should not be for a stitch in time saves nine.

    Agba, represented by National Sales Manager of the company, Ifenyiwa Maduka, said: “The screening is part of the company’s corporate social responsibilities (CSR) to add value to life. We intend to extend the programme to 25 Local Government Areas (LGAs) and LCDAs in Lagos State and 15 LGA in other geo-political zones in the country.”

    He said the screening is a yearly programme, adding that drugs are distributed free to beneficiaries. “The screening is for hypertension and high blood sugar but we intend to screen for other problems too in the future,” Agba said.

    Odofin/ Babaloja of Igando Market, Chief Nasiru Gbadamosi praised the company for bringing healthcare closer to the grassroots.

    He said: “Some people do not know they are sick. It is when they carry out this kind of screening that they discover their health is waning. “

    Screening, he said, should be done regularly, adding: “I have screened and I want others to do theirs too.”

    He said the exercise should not be a one-off thing, stressing that other organizations should come in to complement what the government is doing.

  • How to prevent hypertension, obesity, by US don

    How to prevent hypertension, obesity, by US don

    •Okosun
    •Okosun

    A United States-based Associate Professor of Public Health, Solomon Okosun, has advocated the need to step up efforts to control and manage the growing cases of diabetes and hypertension in the country.

    Okosun made the call at a public lecture he delivered at Obong University in Etim Ekpo, Akwa Ibom State, on the topic: The epidemiology of metabolic syndrome in populations of African descent.

    Okosun, a lecturer at Georgia State University in United States, defined metabolic syndrome as a cluster of conditions that result in manifest increased blood pressure, high blood sugar level, excess body fat around the waist and abnormal cholesterol levels, which occur together and increase the risk of heart disease, stroke and diabetes.

    He traced the medical problem to unhealthy lifestyles among the people, especially those living in the urban areas.

    The lecturer said apart from an unfortunate situation where people deliberately reduce physical activities and exercise from their daily routine, it has become common among the people to use obesity as an index to measuring affluence, stressing that the notion has continued to act as a catalyst for the rising cases of diabetes, hypertension and stroke among Africans.

    He said: “It is common to see Nigerians living in urban areas showing off affluence by going for junk foods, which have serious health implications. People who eat these foods try as much as possible to avoid all forms of physical activities like walking, cycling and jogging, which would have helped in the prevention of obesity, which in turn leads to metabolic syndrome.”

    To stem the rising cases, Okusun said it was imperative for individuals to pay attention to dietary habits by avoiding food that increases risk to becoming obese, while also engaging in more physical activities.

    He said his reason for visiting the university was to initiate discussions with the management on areas of collaboration, especially on research, staff and students exchanges between the host institution and Georgia State University.

    He said he would give scholarships at the Post-graduate level to graduates of the school wishing to study Public Health in the United States.

    Earlier, the Vice-Chancellor (VC), Prof Udoudo Ekanemesang, remarked that the institution is passionate about research and development, reiterating the management’s willingness to collaborate on research that will proffer solutions to pressing societal problems.

    He expressed optimism that the proposed collaboration between Georgia State University and Obong University in the area of Public Health would be mutually beneficial to both school.

  • Screen for hypertension, Nigerians told

    Screen for hypertension, Nigerians told

    Nigerians have been told to undergo screening for hypertension also known as high blood pressure (HBP) to prevent heart problems and stroke, among other diseases.

    According to the President, Nigerian Cardiac Society, Dr Amam Mbakwem, people need to know their numbers because hypertension has no known symptoms.

    She spoke at this year’s World Hypertension Day with the theme: “Know your number”.

    Hypertension, she said, places stress on the cardiovascular system.

    This strain on the heart, she said, usually leads to structural changes in the arteries and the heart, adding: “As a result, it damages vital organs, such as the brain, heart and lungs as well as liver and kidney is inevitable.”

    She said hypertension is the third leading cause of death globally.

    “It was named the number one killer by the World Health Organisation (WHO).  It causes 20 per cent of all deaths in men and 24 per cent of deaths in women, 62 per cent of strokes and 49 per cent of coronary heart disease

    Mbakwem said there is paucity of data on the actual hypertension prevalence in Nigeria.“But, more than 27 million Nigerian adults above 25 years are hypertensive. This figure is in line with estimations made by the WHO. Some published research studies showed that four out of every 10 adults have high blood pressure. This is at 2008.

    “The results also show a slightly higher prevalence in women than men,” she said.

    The cardiologist said most hypertensives do not know they have the condition, stressing that awareness has been poor.

    She continued: “In some parts of the rural north, research shows it is as low as two percent. Every adult must know their blood pressure numbers by maintaining a good habit of regular monitoring and medical checks.”

    Everybody, she said, is at risk for developing high blood pressure, which has no marked symptoms.

    “Mostly symptoms experienced may be attributable to the onset of end-organ damage due to undiagnosed, untreated or poorly controlled hypertension,” she said.

    Although most people will experience high blood pressure at some time in their life, certain individuals are at a higher risk for developing chronic (long-term) hypertension.

    She identified smoking, excessive alcohol intake, emotional stress, unhealthy diet (salt and fat intake), obesity and low physical activity are all modifiable risk factors that can play prominent roles in increasing people risk to hypertension.

    “Also, individuals with a family history of hypertension are more likely to develop hypertension,” she said.

    She said improving the prevention, diagnosis and treatment as well as controlling hypertension can be done at the individual, hospital, regional and national levels.

    “Individuals must make lifestyle modifications, such as switching to a healthy diet, regular exercise and reducing alcohol consumption.

    Others are stopping smoking and visiting the doctor regularly and measuring blood pressure regularly at home and discuss the results with the doctor.

    She said the government and policy makers must improve the capacity of health care personnel in managing condition the condition, especially at the primary care levels to reduce the barrier of access to quality care.

    This, she said, is very important considering the low doctor-patient ratio and the high patient burden at secondary and tertiary hospitals in the country.

    Mbakwem charged the government to accelerate its capabilities to set up a non-communicable diseases surveillance and monitoring system across the country. Besides, we need to set policies, such as screening for high blood pressure and perhaps high blood glucose in the regular National Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS).

    “Also, it should produce evidence-based national guidelines for the management of hypertension in patients with different conditions and complications. This should replace the old version.

    “It must also put forward and aggressively pursue preventive national health policies, for example, that promote population-wide salt reduction since salt intake has been implicated as a leading risk factor in the development of hypertension in blacks,” she said.

    Country Manager, Omron Healthcare, Abiodun Olugbenga, advised Nigerians to have a blood pressure monitors at home since it is the only way to know if their blood pressure is on the rise.

    HBP, he said, has no recognisable symptoms.

    “This can be performed by either a doctor or healthcare professional or at home using a portable blood pressure monitor from Omron’s line of clinically validated blood pressure monitoring devices,” he added.

     

  • Screen for hypertension, Nigerians told

    Screen for hypertension, Nigerians told

    Nigerians have been told to undergo screening for hypertension also known as high blood pressure (HBP) to prevent heart problems and stroke, among other diseases.

    According to the President, Nigerian Cardiac Society, Dr Amam Mbakwem, people need to know their numbers because hypertension has no known symptoms.

    She spoke at this year’s World Hypertension Day with the theme: “Know your number”.

    Hypertension, she said, places stress on the cardiovascular system.

    This strain on the heart, she said, usually leads to structural changes in the arteries and the heart, adding: “As a result, it damages vital organs, such as the brain, heart and lungs as well as liver and kidney is inevitable.”

    She said hypertension is the third leading cause of death globally.

    “It was named the number one killer by the World Health Organisation (WHO).  It causes 20 per cent of all deaths in men and 24 per cent of deaths in women, 62 per cent of strokes and 49 percent of coronary heart disease

    Mbakwem said there is paucity of data on the actual hypertension prevalence in Nigeria.“But, more than 27 million Nigerian adults above 25 years are hypertensive. This figure is in line with estimations made by the WHO. Some published research studies showed that four out of every 10 adults have high blood pressure. This is at 2008.

    “The results also show a slightly higher prevalence in women than men,” she said.

    The cardiologist said most hypertensives do not know they have the condition, stressing that awareness has been poor.

    She continued: “In some parts of the rural north, research shows it is as low as two percent. Every adult must know their blood pressure numbers by maintaining a good habit of regular monitoring and medical checks.”

    Everybody, she said, is at risk for developing high blood pressure, which has no marked symptoms.

    “Mostly symptoms experienced may be attributable to the onset of end-organ damage due to undiagnosed, untreated or poorly controlled hypertension,” she said.

    Although most people will experience high blood pressure at some time in their life, certain individuals are at a higher risk for developing chronic (long-term) hypertension.

    She identified smoking, excessive alcohol intake, emotional stress, unhealthy diet (salt and fat intake), obesity and low physical activity are all modifiable risk factors that can play prominent roles in increasing people risk to hypertension.

    “Also, individuals with a family history of hypertension are more likely to develop hypertension,” she said.

    She said improving the prevention, diagnosis and treatment as well as controlling hypertension can be done at the individual, hospital, regional and national levels.

    “Individuals must make lifestyle modifications, such as switching to a healthy diet, regular exercise and reducing alcohol consumption.

    Others are stopping smoking and visiting the doctor regularly and measuring blood pressure regularly at home and discuss the results with the doctor.

    She said the government and policy makers must improve the capacity of health care personnel in managing condition the condition, especially at the primary care levels to reduce the barrier of access to quality care.

    This, she said, is very important considering the low doctor-patient ratio and the high patient burden at secondary and tertiary hospitals in the country.

    Mbakwem charged the government to accelerate its capabilities to set up a non-communicable diseases surveillance and monitoring system across the country. Besides, we need to set policies, such as screening for high blood pressure and perhaps high blood glucose in the regular National Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS).

    “Also, it should produce evidence-based national guidelines for the management of hypertension in patients with different conditions and complications. This should replace the old version.

    “It must also put forward and aggressively pursue preventive national health policies, for example, that promote population-wide salt reduction since salt intake has been implicated as a leading risk factor in the development of hypertension in blacks,” she said.

    Country Manager, Omron Healthcare, Abiodun Olugbenga, advised Nigerians to have a blood pressure monitors at home since it is the only way to know if their blood pressure is on the rise.

    HBP, he said, has no recognisable symptoms.

    “This can be performed by either a doctor or healthcare professional or at home using a portable blood pressure monitor from Omron’s line of clinically validated blood pressure monitoring devices,” he added.

     

  • ‘Moderate salt intake reduces risk of hypertension’

    ‘Moderate salt intake reduces risk of hypertension’

    Dr. Amam Mbakwem on Friday said moderating salt intake and regular blood pressure monitoring will help to reduce the risk of high blood pressure and other related diseases.

    Mbakwem, an Associate Professor of Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Lagos, said: “Hypertension is one subject every Nigerian should be aware of.

    “This is because the number of people with hypertension keeps increasing daily and worse still, hypertension does not have any sign or symptom.

    “More blacks have hypertension than whites basically because the way blacks handle salt is a bit different,’’ she said.

    With this year’s theme, “Know Your Numbers’’, for the World Hypertension Day on Sunday, Mbakwem said that people tended to hold onto more salt because of the climate.

    “We sweat a lot and so, we require more salt to balance up. But once too much salt is in the system, it triggers high blood pressure.

    “There is also some genetic differences between whites and blacks. The rate at which hypertension develops complications is worse in blacks even for the same level of blood pressure in whites.

    “Diet is also another reason for the high rate of hypertensive cases in black people,’’ she said.

    Mbakwem also disclosed that Nigerians stood more risk of hypertension because of their lifestyles, urging them to be aware.

    “Hypertension is one subject every Nigerian should be aware of because the numbers are increasing in our nation.

    “About 15 to 20 years ago, the statistics was about 11 per cent Nigerian adults that had hypertension.

    “These days, we are looking at figures over 30 per cent. In some areas, it’s as higher as 47 per cent. Putting it simply, if you meet 100 Nigerian adults, 30 people are hypertensive.

    Mbakwem therefore, warned that hypertension gave little or no sign before striking its patient dead and for this reason, there must be caution.

    “Few people may have headache, but most people do not know they are hypertensive as it has no symptoms.

    “It is either somebody checks your blood pressure and it is there or an organ has been damaged before it is discovered.

    “That is why we worry about it. It is not just about the numbers, but the damage high blood pressure causes,’’ she said.

    Mbakwem also said that “high blood pressure heats up the brain, it can also damage it and that is when we talk about stroke.

    “It can damage the eyes, causing blindness. The heart can fail. It can damage the kidneys. It can damage the arteries in the body.

    “That is why we want everybody to know this. If it is discovered early, it is better to manage.

    “What we are saying is check your blood pressure at the slightest opportunity you can ever find.

    “Anytime you visit a hospital or any medical centre, make sure you check your blood pressure,’’ she said.

    Contributing, Olugbenga Abiodun, Country Manager (ASM) for Nigeria, Omron Healthcare Europe B.V, said that what was more worrisome was that few people knew their status.

    “Nigerians are unaware of their blood pressure levels or measurement of blood pressure and that means we have a big problem on our hands.

    “What can be done? People need to take responsibility and know their numbers as this year’s World Hypertension Day theme proposes.

    “It is important that people start checking their blood pressure even at home.

    “That way, at least you can begin to raise your level of consciousness, make lifestyle modification and then consult your doctor.

    “Prevention, they say, is better than cure. That is why we are encouraging people to check their blood pressure often,’’ Abiodun told NAN.

    “’If you go to buy medication, spare some more time to check your blood pressure.

    “You can also keep a record of your numbers on a daily or weekly basis. This is the way we can nip this problem in the bud.’’

    On strategic steps that the country could follow to stem this, Abiodun said government had the responsibility of making policies that would help to stem the tide.

    “Government and key stakeholders need to start focusing on policies that can help us to prevent the development and support the management of this condition.

    “For instance, I will like to see a population-wide salt reduction policy. How can we do that?

    “The government can mandate manufacturers to reasonably reduce the amount of salt in all processed and staple foods produced in the country.

    “I will also like to see the Federal Government develop a new evidence-based guidelines for the management of hypertension and its complications,’’ Abiodun said.