By Davies Iheamnachor, Amarachi Uzoma & Isioma Ananaba

EXPERT in the medical field, Prof. Arthur Onwuchekwa, has expressed worries over rise in the cases of hypertension and stroke in the country.

Onwuchekwa, who is a lecturer in the Department of Medicine, FacultyNof Clinical Science in the University of Port Harcourt said that the cause of stroke, which is hypertension is preventable.

Onwuchekwa expressed this during the 135th Inaugural Lecture of the institution, tagged: ‘A Preventable Disaster Waiting to Happen.’

The Professor stated that stroke is preventable if the people of the nation would maintain a healthy life style.

He mentioned too much salt intake, excessive alcohol and poor exercise habit as risk factors that can lead to stroke.

Onwuchekwa said: “The prevalence of stroke is high in Nigeria and no age, race or class is spared. There are medical conditions that can be controlled in order to reduce stroke. Hypertension is the commonest cause of stroke. If we reduce hypertension by 10 percent, the mass effect in reduction of stroke will be heart gladdening.

“Some kind of life style like excessive intake of salt and alcohol can cause hypertension. Salt and alcohol damage the blood vessels and cell.”