As Nigeria joins the rest of the world to mark World Hypertension Day -WHD today, people have been urged to ensure regular checking of their blood pressure for early diagnosis and management.
Reports say recent figures suggest that more than 76.2 million Nigerians are living with hypertension, alongside its complications of stroke, kidney damage, heart attack, erectile dysfunction, and sudden death if the condition is not properly treated.
According to the Nigerian Heart Foundation (NHF), the prevalence of hypertension is about 38.1 percent. Also, the NMA President, Dr. Uche Rowland Ojinmah, says young people in their 20s can develop hypertension if they adopt a lifestyle and dietary habit that predispose them to the condition, such as smoking, excessive alcohol, high salt diet, reduced physical activity, excessive weight gain (obesity), high saturated fat content in diet, use of illicit drugs like cocaine, heroine, and having a family history of hypertension.
He therefore reiterated the need for early diagnosis and treatment to avoid complications that are associated with the disease.
Celebrated every May 17, the theme for WHD 2023 is ‘Measure your blood pressure, Control it, Live Longer.’ It is a day dedicated to highlighting the importance of monitoring blood pressure and bringing global awareness to the one billion people living with high blood pressure worldwide.