Lagos: A Consultant Cardiologist, Dr. Adisa Adams, has raised concerns over the increasing number of young Nigerian adults being diagnosed with hypertension, labeling it as a significant threat to their lives and future. Dr. Adams, based at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), shared these insights during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, global statistics from the World Health Organisation indicate that approximately 1.3 billion adults live with hypertension, with many unaware of their condition and only a fifth managing to control their blood pressure. In Nigeria, the situation is alarming, with studies indicating that around 25% of emergency hospital admissions in urban areas are due to hypertension-related complications such as stroke, kidney failure, and heart attacks.
Dr. Adams highlighted that hypertension, often termed a silent killer, is now prevalent among young adults, unlike in the past when it primarily affected individuals over 50. He connected the premature deaths of many young Nigerians to undetected and unmanaged hypertension, noting an increase in cases among those aged 28 to 35.
He attributed this rise in hypertension to a “young life mentality syndrome” and a lack of preventive measures among younger individuals. Dr. Adams emphasized the need for proper information and education about the disease, citing misconceptions among the youth regarding their health vulnerability.
Dr. Adams urged young adults to adopt preventive measures and lifestyle changes to combat hypertension. He recommended regular medical checkups starting at age 28, as the absence of symptoms does not guarantee the absence of the disease. He shared instances where young men died unexpectedly from cardiac events during activities like tennis matches or while sleeping, which could have been prevented with prior knowledge of their heart conditions.
Sharing a personal account, Lagos-based businessman Mr. Jude Madukwe recounted the sudden death of his brother-in-law, Alex Obiora, who suffered a heart attack while watching a football match. Obiora’s untimely demise left a significant void in their family, highlighting the impact of hypertension-related complications.
Another cardiologist, Dr. Ramon Moronkola from Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), explained that sudden emotional surges, whether from extreme happiness or sadness, can exert significant pressure on an individual’s cardiovascular system. He noted that untreated cardiovascular conditions could precipitate sudden cardiac events, particularly during emotionally charged situations such as football matches.
Dr. Moronkola emphasized that while a healthy individual might withstand such emotional stress, those with underlying cardiovascular diseases, often unmanaged or undiagnosed, are at risk of sudden cardiac attacks.