Health campaign urges Nigerians to make heart care a daily habit
Health experts, musician Peter Okoye and campaign organisers have urged Nigerians to make exercise, healthy eating and routine checks part of everyday heart care. The advice was delivered at a Lagos event featuring a 10-kilometre walk and health screening, with warnings about symptoms requiring urgent medical attention.
Nigerians have been urged to make preventive heart care part of their daily routines rather than waiting for symptoms or organised sporting events. The advice was given on Thursday at the 10th edition of the Power Oil Walk-Heart On event in Lagos. Dr Sandra Nnamani, assistant general manager of Anchor HMO, said the heart worked continuously and required consistent care.
She identified high blood pressure, unhealthy cholesterol, diabetes, smoking, inactivity, unhealthy diets, obesity and excessive alcohol consumption as cardiovascular risk factors. Nnamani encouraged people to exercise through activities such as brisk walking, dancing, cycling, swimming, jogging or using the stairs. She said adults should aim for 150 to 300 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity each week, or 75 to 150 minutes of vigorous activity, together with muscle-strengthening exercises on at least two days.
She also recommended eating more vegetables, fruits, beans, whole grains, nuts and seeds, while limiting excessive salt, added sugar and unhealthy fats. Regular checks of blood pressure, blood sugar, cholesterol, weight and waist circumference were advised because some risk factors may not produce obvious symptoms. Nnamani said people with hypertension should take prescribed medication consistently and should not stop treatment simply because their blood pressure had improved.
She also warned people to seek urgent medical help for chest pain, severe breathlessness, fainting, severe dizziness or unusual palpitations during exercise. She listed possible heart-attack symptoms including chest pressure, pain spreading to the arm, shoulder, back, neck or jaw, shortness of breath, cold sweat, nausea and sudden weakness. Musician Peter Okoye, known as Mr P, also urged Nigerians to include daily walks and other physical activity in their lives.
The event included a 10-kilometre walk and health screening for thousands of Lagos residents, including blood-pressure and blood-sugar checks. Roland Akpe of Tolaram Group said the initiative was intended to promote physical activity and healthier lifestyle choices.
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