The newly elected National President of Nigerian Hypertension Society, Prof. Simeon Isezuo, on Thursday, advised Nigerians to live healthy lifestyle and check their blood pressure regularly.
Isezuo, a renowned cardiologist and former Head of Medicine in Usmanu Danfodio University Teaching Hospital (UDUTH), gave the advice in an interview in Sokoto.
Isezuo was selected as the Society’s president at the concluded 23 Annual General Meeting and Scientific Conference held in Abuja.
Hypertension is a condition in which the force of the blood against the artery walls is too high.
Usually, hypertension is defined as blood pressure above 140/90, considered severe if the pressure is above 180/120.
The condition often has no symptoms, but if untreated, it can cause health conditions, such as heart disease and stroke.
Isezuo, who observed that three to four out of every 10 adults in Nigeria have hypertension, explained that it is a lifelong condition that can be controlled without affecting one’s lifespan.
He added that “unfortunately, many Nigerians who have hypertension are not aware that they have the condition, as it has no symptom until complications such as stroke, heart failure and kidney disease arise.
“This is a major reason why many people who are aware that they have hypertension are undetected and not on treatment.
“Majority of those on treatment are not taking their medicines regularly as prescribed.”
The cardiologist explained that there is no shame in having hypertension and encouraged those who have the condition to take their medicines regularly to avoid complications.
He added that hypertension is silent but major cause of disability or death in the country.
He said that the society had been making efforts to sensitise Nigerians about the condition, and appealed to governments at all levels, as well as stakeholders in the health sector to invest more in checkmating hypertension-related disorders.
