For a healthy heart, health experts have recommended at least 150 minutes period of exercise weekly and 10, 000 steps daily for adults as a major strategy  towards keeping the heart and other parts of the body healthy.

At a sensitisation seminar organised for members of the Nigerian Police Force, Area F Police Command Ikeja, by the Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria (ACPN), Ikeja Chapter, Chairperson, Drug Information Centre, Pharm.

Mrs. Folasade Olufunke Lawal who applauded the focus of this year’s theme; “One world, One Home and One Heart”, encouraged  hypertensive patients to always adhere strictly to their medications and be in regular touch with their pharmacist for counselling.

”We should also not overlook the need to eat more of fruits and vegetables daily. This is key to healthy living. She also observed that the home being the unit of the nation should always maintain healthy dietary habit in the home.”

She said efforts should be geared towards getting it right in the home. We believe  if we can achieve a healthy feeding culture in the home, we will get it right in the society and the whole world will get it right.”

She debunked claims that salt intake was a threat to living healthy life. One level teaspoon of salt should be consumed daily. She said in men, hypertension manifests from the age of 40, and in women, after menopause but regretted that the trend has changed as even younger people now come down with the condition.

Habits such as heavy drinking, smoking and excessive salt intake are other factors responsible for hypertension. But they can be managed with regular exercise.

Chairman ACPN Ikeja Chapter, Anne Osarenkhoe noted that the high morbidity, poor disease management and high mortality rate, which now prevail, could sometimes be attributed to ignorance.

She said ACPN  focused on heart issues, because it had become commonplace and the need to enlighten the public on heart issue specially, members of the police force was expedient. Osarenkhoe urged individuals to go for regular heart checks.

“People should be encouraged to go for check-ups from time to time, especially, on their hearts. Ignorance has remained a major challenge. Take the checking  affordable.  Most of us do not have the time to go for health check-ups. It could be as a result of our jobs but  it is important we create time to check our hearts from time to time.”