Researchers from the Department of Geography, University of Ibadan, western Nigeria, have raised concern over the increasing rise of heart diseases.
Dr ‘Seun Addie and Dr ‘Lekan Taiwo, in the research findings made available on Sunday in Ibadan, said they studied the pattern of location of heart diseases and associated deaths as well as change in patterns over time in Lagos state, from 2008 to 2018.
They underscored the need for the Lagos state intervention to reduce the rising cases likely to start from 2024 due to recurrent cycles observed from 2010 to 2018.
According to the research, factors, such as urbanisation, shifts in dietary patterns, tobacco usage, ageing population and environmental influences, contribute to the gradual, yet undeniable, rise of heart diseases in Africa.
“The study revealed that heart diseases were more prevalent among females in their fifties and sixties, which might be connected with observed obesity in the women.
“However, the face of heart disease mortality in Lagos State is a middle-aged male, as most deaths occurred in men in their fifties.
“Deaths from heart diseases exhibited significant variations across the 20 LGAs of the state.
“Specific hotspots for heart diseases were identified in Agege, Mushin, and Alimosho LGAs, with Agege persisting as the primary hotspot throughout the study.
“Furthermore, deaths from heart diseases had distinct hotspots in Agege, Ifako-Ijaye, Alimosho, Oshodi-Isolo, and Mushin LGAs,” the research revealed.
Also, access to health care facility for residents living in areas far away from the government teaching hospital was linked to high mortality caused by heart diseases.
The researchers called for an increased awareness campaign targeted at women who are more predisposed to heart diseases and associated factors.
According to them, routine checks facilitated by the government on a regular basis for middle-aged men who are traders or businessmen would help reduce cases of high blood pressure resulting in a high number of deaths recorded.
They called for strengthening the primary health centres to implement universal health coverage to reduce the burden of heart disease as underscored by the World Health Organisation.
“Organise free testing outreaches at the existing 26 General Hospitals across the state on a regular basis to facilitate early detection of heart diseases, since early detection will help in the better management of the diseases, and will go a long way in minimising deaths,” the research emphasised.
