Following the reported deaths of some soccer followers whereas watching the semi-final match between Nigeria and South Africa on the ongoing 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), the Nigerian Cardiac Society (NCS) has raised concern over cardiovascular well being of Nigerians.
Whereas the society in an official assertion Friday couldn’t verify the precise reason behind the deaths, it highlighted the danger elements prevalent amongst Nigerians that would set off sudden dying.
The society issued the warning forward of the ultimate match between Nigeria and the host nation, Cote d’Ivoire, which is scheduled for Sunday.
NCS assertion was signed by Augustine Odili, Chizindu Alikor and Adeseye Akintunde, all professors, who’re the society’s President, Secretary-Basic, and Publicity Secretary, respectively.
Possible causes of sudden dying
In response to NCS, the causes of sudden dying embody issues of hypertension, coronary heart assault, stroke, coronary heart failure, cardiomyopathies, valvular issues, pulmonary thromboembolism, aortic aneurysms, standing epilepticus, and inherited arrhythmogenic channelopathies.
It famous that about 50 per cent of all deaths from coronary heart ailments are sudden whatever the aetiology, that’s, the causes or set of causes.
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The society added that 89 per cent of all sudden cardiac deaths happen outdoors the hospital and that lower than 40 per cent are witnessed.
Nigerian businessman, Osondu Nwoye, who was based mostly in Cote d’Ivoire; former lawmaker Cairo Ojougboh; and the Kwara State College Deputy Bursar, Ayuba Abdullahi are amongst those that misplaced their lives whereas watching the extraordinary semi-finals between Nigeria’s Tremendous Eagles and Bafana Bafana of South Africa.
Danger elements for coronary heart illness
NCS famous that the most typical threat elements for coronary heart illness are associated to way of life corresponding to “lack of bodily train, smoking tobacco, consuming alcohol, consuming unhealthy diets wealthy in salt and saturated fat, and low in contemporary vegetables and fruit.”
It added that different threat elements embody hypertension (hypertension), excessive blood lipids/ldl cholesterol (dyslipidaemia), chubby and weight problems, and diabetes mellitus.
“Hypertension is the most typical threat issue for coronary heart illness and stroke in Nigeria. Sadly, three out of each 10 grownup Nigerians have hypertension, a lot of whom are unaware of their hypertensive standing,” NCS acknowledged.
“Efficient blood stress management is a serious panacea for lowering the cardiovascular threat of affected individuals.”
NCS additionally famous that 7 per cent of hypertensive topics have been proven to realize efficient blood stress management in Nigeria and different sub-Saharan African nations.
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Prevention of sudden dying
A number of experiences have documented a excessive prevalence of cardiovascular threat elements together with weight problems, metabolic syndrome, drug abuse, alcohol consumption, and bodily inactivity amongst Nigerians.
In response to NCS, many of those cardiovascular threat elements are with out signs and indicators.
Due to this fact, it really useful screening as the one efficient mechanism for early identification and acceptable management and prevention of sudden dying among the many populace.
“The premature deaths of those Nigerians are a stark reminder that we should be vigilant about our cardiovascular well being. Sports activities and different emotional occasions can set off arrhythmias, coronary heart assaults, and strokes in these with underlying coronary heart circumstances,” it added.
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