The International Community is observing today as Heart Day.
The day is aimed at drawing people’s attention to heart illnesses and the range of associated health issues.
Paul Ezeoke reports that the Day launched in 2000 by the World Heart Federation promotes different preventive steps and change in lifestyle to avoid cardiovascular diseases including heart attack, stroke and heart failure among others.
According to available statistics, heart problems claim the lives of over seventeen million people annually, representing over thirty-one per cent of global deaths.
In his reaction, the State Chairman of the Nigeria Red Cross Society, Professor Peter Katchy identified tobacco use, diabetes, high blood pressure, obesity, air pollution, unhealthy diet, physical inactivity and harmful use of alcohol as some of the risk factors noting that with the prevailing COVID-19 pandemic heart patients are faced with double-edged threat as they are not only at risk of developing severe form of the virus but they may also be afraid to seek ongoing care for their hearts.
Professor Katchy who regretted the adverse effects of fake, sub-standard and adulterated drug on the health system advocated the setting up of a special federal government committee on forensic quality control of drugs to tackle the menace and reminded Nigerians of the need for collective efforts to complement the activities of NAFDAC and Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria.
He urged healthcare professionals to encourage their patients to adopt healthy lifestyle to protect their vital organs and maintained healthy heart and employers to invest in the heart health of employees while government should control products that threaten the health of the heart and intensify measures to reduce air pollution.
Also speaking, another Medical practitioner, Dr Onyemechi Mzimoha cautioned against consumption of junk food in any form and stressed the need for increased intake of water, natural food, fruits and vegetables on daily bases.
A nurse, Mrs Vivian Nwankwo urged middle aged and elderly people to restrict themselves to physical exercises advised by their doctors and other medical practitioners.
The theme for the 2020 World Heart Day is “Use Your Heart to Fight COVID-19”.
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