A marketing consultant heart specialist, Professor Chizindu Alikor, has raised severe concern over the rising incidence of hypertension amongst younger Nigerians, warning that hypertension is “now not a illness for the previous” as even 18-yr-olds are more and more being recognized.
Professor Alikor issued the warning throughout the 123rd Inaugural Lecture of the Rivers State College, RSU, on Wednesday, delivering a presentation themed: “The Silent Energetic Engine Bearing Weights of Human Sufferings: The Battle to Keep Alive.”
Explaining the theme of his lecture, Professor Alikor, who’s the Chief Medical Director on the Rivers State College Instructing Hospital, RSUTH, described the guts as “the silent lively engine” that tirelessly retains humanity alive regardless of huge strain.
He famous that way of life selections at the moment are the best threats to coronary heart well being.
In accordance with him, “Way of life selections influence the guts,” stressing that weight-reduction plan, stress, extreme salt consumption, excessive refined sugar consumption, weight problems, poor diabetes administration, and untreated hypertension are main contributors to the rising burden of cardiovascular illnesses.
“These,” he stated, “are parts within the domains of struggling that influence negatively on the human coronary heart.”
To deal with this, the heart specialist proposed the “Alikor Survival Community Mannequin,” a holistic strategy involving the person, household and the healthcare system to make sure higher coronary heart care.
Rising Hypertension in Young Adults and Rural Communities
Professor Alikor, who’s the President, Nigerian Society of Nuclear Medication and Molecular Imaging additionally revealed findings from his analysis in collaboration with others performed greater than 20 years in the past, displaying an already excessive prevalence of cardiovascular risk elements within the Niger Delta.
Extra alarming, nevertheless, is the growing pattern of hypertension in rural communities and amongst younger folks.
He disclosed that amongst folks aged 18 to 39, cardiovascular risk issue clustering is as excessive as 15%, calling the pattern “worrisome.”
He additionally questioned what the state of affairs is perhaps in cities, the place urbanization and altering life have eroded conventional diets and bodily exercise.
“Urbanization has wiped away the normal weight-reduction plan and leg stroll and has introduced us to a sedentary way of life,” he stated.
Professor Alikor stated the analysis additional confirmed that males have a better prevalence of cardiovascular risk clusters.
Hypertension, Coronary heart Failure and Stroke Dominating Niger Delta Instances
In accordance with Professor Alikor, coronary heart failure and stroke stay the most typical cardiovascular problems amongst hospitalized sufferers within the Niger Delta.
He suggested that signs reminiscent of palpitations ought to by no means be ignored, describing them as indicators of cardiovascular pressure that require speedy consideration from a heart specialist.
The heart specialist emphasised that survival is determined by shared accountability.
“The battle to remain alive is a collective undertaking and never a person endeavor,” he stated, insisting that the Alikor Coronary heart Survival Community Mannequin, when utilized, can shield each people and communities.
He highlighted weight-reduction plan as the primary line of protection, noting: “Diets wealthy in greens, fruits, legumes, and complete grains are helpful.
“Diets excessive in salt, trans fats, refined sugar, are enemies of the silent lively engine (the guts).”
Alikor urged Nigerians to “know your numbers, together with blood strain, blood sugar and levels of cholesterol.
Alarmingly, he famous: “In our research we established that even among the many very educated, they transfer round with 200/150, simply transferring round; very enlightened college professors.”
He inspired common residence monitoring, saying: “It is advisable have your blood strain screens, the digital ones, good ones… Maintain within the workplace, maintain by your bedsides and examine your blood strain often.”
Referencing scripture, he stated “Luke 22:44 has cardiovascular implications,” reinforcing the physiological stress the guts endures.
Processed Meals, Decline in Bodily Exercise Driving Future Disaster
Professor Alikor warned that epidemiologic transition and way of life adjustments — together with the shift to quick meals and processed meals — are accelerating cardiovascular dangers.
He stated conventional habits reminiscent of vegetable-wealthy diets and lengthy walks have been deserted attributable to westernization, and with out intentional interventions, “within the subsequent 10 to twenty years, there will likely be an alarming enhance of coronary heart assaults and stroke.”
To mitigate this looming disaster, he introduced the “Alikor Well being Care Survival Mannequin.”
Earlier, the Vice Chancellor of Rivers State College, Professor Isaac Zeb-Obipi, reaffirmed the establishment’s dedication to addressing societal issues by analysis and mental engagement.
He famous that points reminiscent of poor infrastructure, unemployment, poverty and illnesses are worsened by day by day stress and unhealthy life.
Professor Zeb-Obipi added that these elements pressure very important organs, together with the guts and in the end cut back productiveness.
The VC stated the college’s tradition of inaugural lectures is aimed toward proffering sustainable options to such urgent nationwide challenges.
