- By Tasi’u Hassan
On the occasion of this year’s World Heart Day, health experts have reminded Nigerians that statistics from the World Health Organisation (WHO) indicate that Cardiovascular Diseases (CVDs) are the foremost cause of death globally, taking an estimated 17.9 million lives each year.
The World Heart Day is observed on 29 September every year, to increase awareness about Cardiovascular Diseases, and how to control them to negate their global impact.
In an interview with our reporter, Tasi’u HASSAN, a Cardiologist at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital, Bauchi, Dr. Hussaini Sama’ila Dangambo, speaks on the common causes of heart failure and preventive measures.
Dr. Husaini Dangambo said one of the main functions of the heart is to receive and pump blood throughout the body, for oxygen, nutritional, and other metabolic demands, explaining that heart failure occurs when the heart fails to pump the blood for the demands of the body system.
He said there are no specific causes of heart failure, but hypertension, diabetes, high cholesterol, obesity, and smoking can lead to it.
The cardiologist pointed out that heart failure starts from the day a child is born to old age, though he said, adults and pregnant women are more at risk, and that the causes differ.
On preventive measures, the cardiologist encouraged people to modify their lifestyle, especially by engaging in physical exercise and reducing obesity.
Dr. Dangambo said given the fact that the most common cause of heart failure is hypertension, people should reduce salt in their diet, and be taking fruits and vegetables.
Speaking at an event to mark this year’s World Heart Day in Abuja, the Minister of Health, Dr. Ali Pate, represented by the state Minister, Dr. Tunji Alausa, said cardiovascular diseases take about 17.9 million lives each year globally, and of these, 85 percent are due to heart attack and stroke.
INT/TH/UMJ/MS
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