World Heart Day: Experts proffer solutions to rising premature deaths from heart attack 

• NHF seeks to establish cardio-pulmonary resuscitation programme in Nigeria
• Studies associate spike in cardiovascular disease mortality to increasing cases of mental disorders
• Walking up flights of stairs, mopping floors enough to slash risk of heart attacks, strokes, by researchers

Concerned about the rising cases of premature deaths in Nigeria due to heart attack, medical experts have made recommendations on how to reverse the trend.

They recommended healthy lifestyles such as regular exercises and intake of plant-based diets, as well as establishment of cardio-pulmonary resuscitation (CPR) programmes nationwide.

They also demonstrated how walking up flights of stairs and mopping floors are enough to slash risk of heart attacks and strokes.

Executive Director, Nigerian Heart Foundation (NHF), the nation’s heart charity devoted to promotion of cardiovascular research, advocacy and cardiovascular health issues, Dr. Kingsley Kola Akinroye, in a chat with The Guardian, said most of the research is steered to transforming the Nigerian health system to reduce premature death from cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) and help people living with heart and circulatory diseases.

Akinroye said to commemorate 2023 World Heart Day (WHD) in Nigeria, NHF launched cardio- pulmonary resuscitation programme in Nigeria, which commenced with donation of three cardio-emergency resuscitation boxes to Federal Ministry of Health (FMoH) for training of healthcare professionals in delivery of CPR.

Akinroye, who is also a consultant cardiologist said CVDs are leading causes of death and disabilities in Nigeria and 80 per cent of premature heart disease and stroke are preventable.

He said a cardiac arrest occurs when the heart suddenly stops beating and may lead to heart attack.

Akinroye further explained: “Every minute counts when a person is in cardiac arrest, and it is estimated that an average of eight- 10 minutes is allowed for life to be returned. With CPR and application of a defibrillator, the chances of survival of a person in cardiac arrest is higher. A cardiac arrest is usually caused by an electrical malfunction of the heart electrical system which leads the heart to stop pumping; and use of a defibrillator could return the heart to normal function.

“In 1973, 50 years ago the American Heart Association launched CPR for use in the hospitals and population and in 1975, the Australian Heart Foundation launched the CPR mobile training units that travel across Australia to teach CPR and 1976, Australia launched Australian Resuscitation Council to standardise and promote the teaching of CPR throughout the country.

“The above two countries and others globally have been able to substantially reduce the number of people lost from cardiac arrest.”

Going down memory lane, the cardiologist said since the episode of August 16, 1989, when a Nigerian International football star, Sam Okwaraji had cardiac arrest during a football tournament with Angola, at the National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos, many football players are recorded to have collapsed and died during soccer tournaments.

Akinroye said with adequate application of CPR and Automated External Defibrillators (AED) by trained personnel, Nigeria will arrest these episodes.

He said, in this respect, in line with the 2023 WHD theme, NHF will launch the CPR and AED Programme in Nigeria and this will in addition, offer the unique opportunities of coordinating several available services on CPR being offered by individuals, organisations in Nigeria with regulation of this useful tool to improve emergency healthcare in Nigeria.

Meanwhile, the Ministers of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Tunji Alausa, in an event to mark the 2023 WHD, co-organised by NHF, in Abuja, said the majority of heart diseases are preventable with a healthy lifestyle.

Alausa urged Nigerians to adopt a healthy lifestyle in order to make their heart age longer and healthier.

He said: “The risk factors for heart diseases are well known and largely preventable.

“For example, hypertension; diabetes mellitus; sickle cell disease; lipid abnormalities; overweight and obesity; tobacco use; alcohol intake and insufficient physical activity are significant modifiable and preventable risk factors for heart disease and other non-communicable diseases.”

Alausa said that the 2023 theme, ‘Use Heart, Know Heart’, beyond encouraging Nigerians to learn more about our hearts and how to keep them healthy, it also enjoins citizens to show care and compassion to people who suffer from heart problems.

The minister added: “It reminds us that taking care of our hearts and those of others is not only a medical necessity but also a fundamental act of self-love and care for our loved ones.

“The heart is one of the vital organs of the body. It is the engine room responsible for pumping life-sustaining blood to all parts of the body.

“In an average adult at rest, normal heart rate is 60 – 100 beats per minute, and with each heartbeat, the heart pumps 70 milliliters (mL) of blood out of the heart, which is equivalent to five-seven litres of blood per minute.

“We need to humanly possibly protect the heart against diseases and conditions that will cause it to malfunction.”

According to him, statistics from the World Health Organisation shows that cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the leading Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) and are the foremost cause of death globally, taking an estimated 17.9 million lives each year.

Alausa said: “Of these cardiovascular deaths, 85 per cent are due to heart attack and stroke; and over three-quarters occur in the low- and middle income countries.

“The 2018 WHO Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) Country Profiles show that NCDs accounted for 29 per cent of all deaths in Nigeria with cardiovascular diseases responsible for 11 per cent of all the NCD deaths.

“The country profile also shows that the risk of dying prematurely from NCDs in Nigeria is 22 per cent. Premature mortality in this instance is defined as death occurring between ages 30 and 70 years from any of the common NCDs.”

Alausa said that although the Federal Ministry of Health (FMOH) was currently in the field conducting National Steps Survey of NCDs, however, several pockets of studies showed prevalence of cardiovascular diseases.

He said that morbidity and mortality due to cardiovascular diseases in Nigeria was underestimated because of inadequate awareness and health seeking behaviour.

He added that this also included limited screening, diagnostic and therapeutic services including poor data repository.

“Given the silent and chronic nature of the majority of cardiovascular diseases, it is important to institute long-lasting measures to prevent, detect and manage them early.

“This will help to avert complications such as heart attack, heart failure, stroke, and even death,” he said.

Alausa said that in response to the burden of cardiovascular diseases, the government over the years instituted several strategic interventions at the tertiary, secondary and primary health care levels.

The minister said that the FMOH had also developed the National NCDs Policy and Multi-Sectoral Action Plan.

He urged Nigerians to engage in physical activity for a minimum of 30 minutes daily, avoid tobacco use and exposure to second-hand smoke and avoid harmful intake of alcohol. “Abstinence is the best,” he said.

“Eat a healthy diet containing a minimum of three– five servings of a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables spread over each day.

“Eat a variety of whole grains, lean meat, fish, peas, beans, and lentils. Limit processed foods, limit salt intake to less than five grammes (one teaspoon) daily, reduce dietary cholesterol, and avoid industrially produced trans-fats.

“Know your numbers by regularly checking your blood pressure, cholesterol, and glucose levels,” he said.

He said that FMOH in collaboration with partners, would also be carrying out free hypertension screening and counselling for public/civil servants in and around the Federal Secretariat Complex Phase 1 and Phase 3 and the Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport.

Meanwhile, Akinroye commended the minister and all stakeholders, including the Director of Public Health, Dr. Chukwuma Anyaike.

The World Heart Day is a day set aside by the Cardiovascular Health Community all over the world to raise awareness about the importance of the heart and promote preventive measures to reduce the global impact and burden of heart diseases.

Also, medical experts have said that mental health support is crucial for people with cardiovascular disease and that a positive mind and social connection are key to recovering from cardiovascular disease.