76.2 million Nigerians live with hypertension. Younger people are at risk due to bad economy, drugs, alcohol, and phone use. NHF seeks support for integrated control.
As Nigeria joins the rest of the world to mark World Hypertension Day today, recent figures suggest that more than 76.2 million Nigerians are living with hypertension and many more are expected to develop the disease, alongside its complications of stroke, kidney damage, heart attack, erectile dysfunction, and ultimately sudden death if the condition is not properly treated.
Interestingly, it is indicated that more than 50 per cent of these hypertensive Nigerians are youths between the ages of 20 and 50 years. Furthermore, the monthly care cost of hypertension is ₦N15,964.76 , according to the Nigerian Medical Association . NMA President, Dr. Uche Rowland Ojinmah, told The Guardian that young people in their 20s can develop hypertension if they adopt a lifestyle and dietary habit that predispose to the condition, such as smoking, excessive alcohol, high salt diet, reduced physical activity, excessive weight gain , high saturated fat content in diet, use of illicit drugs like cocaine, heroine, and having family history of hypertension.
On the controversy surrounding the optimal/healthy blood pressure, the medical doctor said the definition of normal blood pressure depends on the guideline you are using. While Nigerian Hypertension Society , The International Society of Hypertension , and European Society of Hypertension define normal BP as less than 130/85mmHg, the American College of Cardiology uses less than 120/80mmHg.
To address the menace, Akinroye recommends: investment in preventive measures by government; support for the Primary Healthcare system to integrate the control of hypertension with other diseases; and support for task shifting to Community Health Extension Worker and Community Health Officers to empower them in management of hypertension and ensuring all the 36 states pay their counterpart funds to ensure participation in the Basic Health Care Provision Fund as approved by the current...
He explained: “The management of hypertension without complications is about 1,000 per person per week or an average of 4,000 to 5,000 a month. When complications set in, the cost goes up. It depends on the type of complication, for example cost of managing stroke or heart failure or kidney failure is quite expensive. This usually sets in when there is no early diagnosis or patients who are on treatment go on drug holiday neglecting their treatment. This often led to sudden unexpected death.
“We are basically asking the government, Ministries of Finance and Health to protect the lives of Nigerians. Sugary drinks are very cheap and accessible, but the health implications of consuming these drinks are very deep. Also speaking at the event, Glory Okwu, Programme Coordinator, Project Pink Blue, said the coalition is pro-health and looked forward to a situation where Nigeria would be free from NCDs.
Meanwhile, new research suggests that cell phone usage may be connected to blood pressure levels. The more time a person spends on the phone, the higher the risk of having hypertension. Experts say the findings are interesting but more study is needed.
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