Lagos:Anchor HMO, Power Oil, and renowned musician Peter Okoye, also known as Mr P, have called on Nigerians to prioritize preventive heart care. This appeal comes as the nation celebrates its 66th Independence Anniversary, emphasizing the importance of citizens’ health as the “heartbeat of the nation.”
According to News Agency of Nigeria, this advice was given during the 10th edition of the Power Oil Walk-Heart On event held in Lagos. Dr. Sandra Nnamani, Assistant General Manager at Anchor HMO, highlighted that heart health should not only be considered during marathons or when symptoms appear. She stressed the continuous nature of heart function and the necessity of consistent care.
Nnamani outlined that maintaining heart health involves regular exercise, a balanced diet, and monitoring key health indicators like blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar. She identified high blood pressure, unhealthy cholesterol, diabetes, smoking, physical inactivity, poor diet, obesity, and excessive alcohol consumption as primary cardiovascular risk factors.
Encouraging daily physical activity, Nnamani suggested activities such as brisk walking, dancing, cycling, swimming, and jogging. She pointed out that adults should aim for 150 to 300 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity weekly, combined with muscle-strengthening exercises on two days each week.
Diet also plays a crucial role, Nnamani noted, advising the consumption of more vegetables, fruits, beans, whole grains, nuts, and seeds, while limiting salt, sugars, and unhealthy fats. She emphasized the importance of regular health checks, as hypertension and other risk factors can be asymptomatic.
Additionally, she warned against ignoring potential heart attack symptoms and urged immediate medical attention if symptoms such as chest pain or severe dizziness occur during physical activity.
Mr. Roland Akpe, Marketing Manager at Tolaram Group, makers of Power Oil, explained that the 10km walk initiative aims to promote heart health through regular exercise and lifestyle changes. He mentioned the cholesterol-free quality of their oil and its role in the World Heart Day campaign.
Peter Okoye expressed pride in Power Oil as a Nigerian product and encouraged Nigerians to incorporate daily walks and physical activity to support heart health. The event also included health screenings for thousands, focusing on early detection of cardiovascular risks.