By  Chioma Obinna

Worried by the increasing incidences of heart diseases among Nigerians, the Nigerian Heart Foundation, NHF, has launched a National Heart Awareness Campaign, tagged, “Spread the Heart Message” aimed at reducing incidences of cardiovascular diseases in the country. The campaign is targeted at  high risk population in work places including artisans in all area of business endeavour. Available statistics show that cardiovascular diseases are the world’s largest killers, claiming 17.3 million lives annually.

Cardiovascular disease

Launching the campaign in Lagos, the Executive Director, NHF, and a renowned cardiologist, Dr. Kingsley Akinroye disclosed that in Nigeria the number of people suffering from cardiovascular disease is on the rise and almost becoming alarming, with a prevalence of not less than 25 percent of adult Nigerians suffering hypertension.

He explained that the campaign has been conceived to focus on risk factors for cardiovascular diseases such as nutrition, physical inactivity, alcohol, tobacco amaong others. Under the campaign he said: “Corporate organisations are expected to conduct regular blood pressure check for staff, workplace exercise and physical activity, ensure that work place canteen focuses on healthy diet, and promote aerobic exercise during working hours etc.

“Under the collective responsibility, government at all levels are expected to ensure that food industries reduce salt and high fat in processed food, ensure that legislation and implementation of tobacco law is guaranteed, promote food labelling, consumption of fruits and vegetables, encourage local manufacturing of anti- hypertensive drugs, among others.”

Further, Akinroye who is also the Vice President, World Heart Federation, WHF, stressed the need for stakeholders in public and private sector to participate in the “Spread the Heart message” campaign as it involves all socio economic strata and ages.

Emphasizing the need for Nigerians to reduce their salt intake, he identified high salt intake as the commonest cause of hypertension among Nigerians and Africans at large.  He affirmed that the recommended intake for salt per day is three grammes.