Heart foundation reports spike in ‘sudden deaths’ at airports

Nigerian Heart Foundation (NHF), yesterday, reported a spike in cases of travellers slumping at the airports and dying, which could be attributed to different preventable cardiovascular cases.

According to NHF, it plans to train the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) staff in Lagos on Cardio-Plumonary Resuscitation (CPR) and on the use of Automated External Defibrillator (AED) to easily stimulate the heart in cases of emergency.

To commemorate World Heart Day, which is celebrated every September 29, the association organise a press conference, where they called on government to implement public health policies that encourage heart-healthy environments, reduce health inequities and provide access to essential healthcare services.

Programmes Director, NHF, Dr Enitan Ademuson, in her address, emphasised the importance of this year’s theme; ‘Use Heart for Action’ and urged everyone, including healthcare professionals, policymakers, organisations, to act in ways that protect their hearts and the hearts of those around them.

Ademuson explained that the organization, in collaboration with partners, donated the AED to FAAN in 2023 and so have decided to train their staff on how to use the machine to save lives.

“There are too many reports about travellers slumping at the airports and dying, when we know that in other countries they probably wouldn’t die,” she said.She said Lagos would be their starting point because it was the most used airport in the country with high traffic movement in and out of the country, both national and foreign passengers.

She urged communities across Nigeria to take part in the movement by sharing heart health information, participating in heart-healthy events, and supporting those at risk of heart disease.

A senior Brand Manager, Three Crowns Milk, Adesanjo Oyejide, at the event, noted that their brand saw the need to partner with everyone that is at the forefront of the campaigns, the advocacies of health as well as nutrition. Oyejide explained the importance of healthy nutrition and encouraged the consumption of vegetable fats, which, he said, was healthier than animal fats with better fat profile.