As the global community commemorates the World Health Day, Fidson Healthcare Plc has joined the World Health Organisation (WHO) in the campaign against high blood pressure and other cardiovascular diseases, which is the theme of this year’s event.
Reports from WHO show that one in three adults worldwide has high blood pressure. The proportion increases with age from, 1 in 10 people in their 20s and 30s to 5 in 10 people in their 50s. The prevalence of high blood pressure is highest amongst some low income countries in Africa; with over 40 percent of adults in many African countries thought to be affected.
Reacting to WHO reports, Ola Ijimakin, General Manager, marketing, Fidson Healthcare Plc, said the alarming rate of high blood pressure globally is a challenge that should not be handled with levity, especially as more people in Africa are exposed to unhealthy behaviours like poor eating habits, very little physical activity, smoking, excessive alcohol intake and stressful lifestyles.
Explaining the medical condition, the GM marketing said that high blood pressure increases the risk of heart attacks, strokes and kidney failure even as it can also cause blindness irregular heartbeats and heart failure if left uncontrolled.
“The WHO report also states that worldwide, more than 7.5million deaths are attributed to the condition; about 12.8 percent of all deaths. This accounts for 57 million Disability Adjusted Life Years (DALYS), which accounted for about 3.7 percent of total DALYS,” Ijimakin said.
Ijimakin advised Nigerians to make a concerted effort at preventing the incidence of high blood pressure by living a healthier lifestyle through eating a balanced diet, avoiding excessive alcohol intake, engaging in regular physical exercise, reducing salt intake, maintaining a healthy body weight and avoid smoking amongst other predisposing factors.
“There is the need to create public awareness on the risks associated with high blood pressure and the importance of a healthy life style as a preventive measure. Nigerians should regularly visit the doctor/medical practitioner for thorough check-up and medical advice while calling on government and other private institutions to create an enabling environment to enhance healthy behaviour and lifestyle,” he explained.
Ijimakin added that Fidson’s support for the WHO campaign against high blood pressure is another demonstration of the company’s concern for the health and wellbeing of Nigerians and its commitment to adding value to the lives of people.
ALEXANDER CHIEJINA
