Hypertension: Experts Raise Alarm

By  Martins Ifijeh

The Executive Director, Nigerian Heart Foundation, Dr. Kingsley Akinroye, has decried the prevalence of hypertension in the country despite increased awareness campaign against the scourge.

He made this known during the anniversary of ‘Fight the Good Fight Against Hypertension, FITGAH’, in Lagos with the theme: “Hypertension Never Sleeps”, organised by Neimeth Pharmaceuticals and the Nigerian Heart Foundation.

Akinroye, who noted that hypertension triggered job loss in the mid 70s because of lack of awareness and the perception people had about the disease, said that despite the awareness which has increased to about 80 per cent in the country presently, it was worrisome that many people, both the rich and the poor were still suffering from the disease.

The cardiologist who is also the Vice President, World Heart Federation, identified ignorance and drug-holiday habits as the major factors militating against management of the condition and therefore urged Nigerians to always check their blood pressure.

"Statistics available has shown that 70 per cent of hypertensive patients go on drug holidays while the prevalence among Nigerians is between 25 per cent and 40 per cent, depending on the area of location," he noted.

He said the theme for this year’s World Hypertension Day, titled: ‘Know your Risks’ had the goal of increasing high blood pressure awareness in all populations around the world.

On factors responsible for the disease, he said, obesity, tobacco consumption, excessive intake of salt and sedentary lifestyle were major contributors to increased blood pressure.

Also speaking at the event, the Chief Executive Officer, Neimeth Pharmaceuticals, Emmanuel Ekunno, noted that his organisation has identified the rising hypertension cases in the country, hence the need to put measures in place to curb it.

According to him, such measures include; awareness campaigns, which would span across the length and breadth of the country, availability and affordability of drugs and blood pressure equipment.

"We have also done several free blood pressure screenings in different parts of Lagos and we intend to expand it to other parts of the country so that more people will be aware of their status, and then know what step to take to manage it," he added.

Stressing the need for locally made anti-hypertensive products, he said 1 in 10 adults have hypertension, hence the need for available, affordable and accessible drugs.

He said the decision to halve the price of the company’s anti-hypertensive products was to ensure its affordability to Nigerians.

Maintaining that hypertension is assuming an epidemic status in the country, Ekunn alerted that hypertension never sleeps, hence the need for people to be more committed to checking their blood pressure as well as adhere to their routine drugs if hypertensive.

While advocating for free anti-hypertensive drugs in the country, he called on corporate organisations and the incoming government of General Muhammadu Buhari to support FITGAH in the war against hypertension, even as he disclosed plans to establish a Cardiovascular Support Group where hypertensive patients would learn from medical experts on how to control and manage their conditions with ease, as well as have the opportunity to interact with other hypertensive patients. 

Also lending her voice, the Chief Executive Officer, Microlife, Mrs. Shade Animashaun, who donated electronic blood pressure checks, warned against self medication among hypertensive patients.

She however stressed the need for people to imbibe the culture of checking their own blood pressure through the various blood pressure equipments available. “Most people are hypertensive but not aware because they do not check their blood pressures, some live in denial while others cannot afford blood pressure check device."

Animashaun, said that was the reason her organisation was making blood pressure checks available at affordable prices to Nigerians, so that both the rich and the poor would be aware of their blood pressure status through self examination.