As the world marked World Heart Day on Monday, health experts across Nigeria have called on citizens to pay serious attention to their heart health by abandoning unhealthy habits and embracing lifestyles that will reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases, which remain one of the leading causes of death globally. The experts warned that many Nigerians are living dangerously without knowing the implications of their daily choices on their heart, noting that the rate of hypertension, stroke and heart failure is rising at an alarming rate across the country.
World Heart Day, which is commemorated annually on September 29, was set aside by the World Heart Federation to create awareness about cardiovascular diseases and to promote preventive measures that can help people live longer and healthier lives. This year’s observance brought together health professionals, pharmacists, doctors and other stakeholders who used the opportunity to educate the public on simple but effective steps to keep the heart healthy and functioning properly.
In Akwa Ibom State, an Uyo-based pharmacist and public health advocate, Anderson Tony, told newsmen that a large number of Nigerians are unknowingly exposing themselves to preventable heart diseases through smoking, excessive consumption of alcohol, poor feeding habits and sedentary lifestyles. He explained that many people engage in these habits without understanding that they gradually damage the heart and blood vessels and may eventually lead to life-threatening conditions if not checked early.
According to Tony, tobacco smoking remains one of the most dangerous risk factors for cardiovascular disease because it damages the lining of the arteries, narrows the blood vessels and forces the heart to work harder to pump blood. He said this increases blood pressure significantly and raises the chances of developing heart attack, stroke and other heart complications. He added that even passive smokers are not spared from the harmful effects of tobacco on the heart.
The pharmacist also identified excessive intake of alcohol as another major contributor to heart-related illnesses in Nigeria, explaining that heavy drinking over a long period can weaken the heart muscle, cause irregular heartbeat and lead to high blood pressure, which is a silent killer. He warned that many young Nigerians who indulge in binge drinking at social events are putting their hearts under severe stress without realising the long-term consequences of their actions.
Beyond smoking and alcohol, Tony pointed out that unhealthy eating habits and lack of physical activity are equally dangerous to heart health. He said many Nigerians consume foods that are high in saturated fats, salt, sugar and cholesterol, such as fried foods, processed meats and sugary drinks, while neglecting fruits, vegetables and whole grains. He noted that when such eating patterns are combined with little or no exercise, the risk of obesity, diabetes and heart disease increases sharply.
To reverse the trend, Tony advised Nigerians to consciously adopt healthier lifestyles that will support their heart and overall well-being. He recommended that people should make balanced diets a priority by eating more fruits, vegetables, legumes, whole grains, fish and lean proteins, while reducing their intake of salt, fatty foods and sugary drinks. He stressed that what people eat daily has a direct impact on their blood pressure, cholesterol level and heart function.
He also stressed the importance of regular physical activity as a key strategy for maintaining a healthy heart, urging Nigerians to engage in at least 30 minutes of moderate exercise daily. According to him, simple activities such as brisk walking, jogging, cycling, swimming and even dancing can improve blood circulation, strengthen the heart muscle, control weight and lower blood pressure. He said Nigerians should avoid sitting for long hours without moving their bodies.
In addition to diet and exercise, the pharmacist emphasised the need for regular health checks and early detection of heart-related problems, noting that many cardiovascular diseases develop silently without obvious symptoms. He urged Nigerians to cultivate the habit of checking their blood pressure, blood sugar and cholesterol levels regularly at approved health facilities, rather than waiting until they fall seriously ill before seeking medical attention.
Tony explained that high blood pressure, which is one of the leading causes of heart attack and stroke, often has no visible symptoms and can only be detected through routine medical checks. He said many Nigerians are walking around with dangerously high blood pressure without knowing it, and this is why regular screening is crucial. He advised those already diagnosed with hypertension to adhere strictly to their medications and medical advice.
He further urged Nigerians who experience warning signs such as persistent chest pain, shortness of breath, irregular heartbeat, unusual tiredness or frequent dizziness to seek professional medical help immediately instead of resorting to self-medication or spiritual solutions. He warned that delay in seeking care could lead to irreversible damage to the heart or even sudden death, which is preventable if detected and treated early.
Corroborating Tony’s position, the World Health Organization, WHO, has consistently identified unhealthy diets, physical inactivity, tobacco use and harmful use of alcohol as the four major behavioural risk factors that drive cardiovascular diseases worldwide. The global health body noted that these factors contribute to physiological changes in the body such as high blood pressure, high blood sugar, overweight and obesity, which in turn increase the risk of heart disease.
The WHO also stressed that high blood pressure remains the single most important risk factor for heart failure, stroke, kidney disease and other cardiovascular complications, and has called on governments and individuals to take deliberate steps to control it through healthy living and regular monitoring. The organisation has been advocating for stronger policies to reduce tobacco and alcohol consumption and to promote healthy diets and physical activity.
In Nigeria, health stakeholders have continued to express concern over the increasing number of young people being diagnosed with hypertension and other heart-related conditions, a situation they attributed to changing lifestyles, urbanization, stress and poor awareness. They warned that if urgent steps are not taken, the country may face a surge in cardiovascular deaths in the coming years, placing additional pressure on an already overstretched health system.
As part of activities marking this year’s World Heart Day, various health organisations and professional bodies organised awareness campaigns, free blood pressure checks, health walks and public lectures in different parts of the country to sensitise Nigerians on the need to take their heart health seriously. Participants were encouraged to know their numbers, including their blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar levels.
The experts also called on the Federal and State Governments to increase investment in preventive healthcare, strengthen primary healthcare centres and make screening for non-communicable diseases more accessible and affordable for ordinary Nigerians. They argued that prevention is cheaper and more effective than treatment, especially for diseases like heart failure and stroke that require long-term and expensive care.
Parents and guardians were particularly advised to instill healthy habits in their children early by encouraging them to eat nutritious meals, reduce consumption of junk foods and sugary drinks, engage in outdoor play and physical activities and stay away from tobacco and alcohol. They noted that heart health begins from childhood and that early lifestyle choices have long-term effects on adult health.
The Uyo-based pharmacist, Anderson Tony, concluded by urging all Nigerians to view their heart as a vital asset that must be protected through conscious lifestyle decisions, regular medical checks and prompt medical attention when necessary. He said adopting a healthy lifestyle is not expensive and does not require sophisticated facilities, but only discipline, awareness and commitment to doing what is right for the body.
Meanwhile, as the World Heart Day celebration came to an end, stakeholders have urged the media, civil society organisations and community leaders to join hands in spreading the message of heart health to the grassroots, so that more Nigerians, especially those in rural areas, can understand the dangers of unhealthy living and take proactive steps to protect their hearts and live longer, productive lives.
