Imagine a world where heart disease no longer claims millions of lives each year. A world where families aren’t torn apart by the loss of a loved one to cardiovascular disease. This is the vision behind World Heart Day, observed annually on September 29th.
As we celebrate, World Heart Day with the theme “Don’t Miss a Beat” serves as a powerful call to action. Remind us that heart health is a daily commitment, one that too many overlook until it’s too late. From poor diets to sedentary lifestyles, smoking, and unchecked stress, the choices we make or ignore directly impact our hearts.
While CVD is a global scourge, its rise in Africa, with Nigeria as a critical focal point, is particularly alarming. Once thought to be a disease primarily affecting high-income countries, lifestyle changes, urbanisation, and increasing life expectancy are fuelling a surge in heart-related cases across the continent. Nigeria, with its large and rapidly growing population, is facing a burgeoning crisis.
Heart disease is no longer solely an affliction of the elderly. While older individuals, particularly those over 60, account for a significant proportion of CVD-related deaths, worrying trends show an increasing incidence across younger age groups in Nigeria. Studies reveal that a substantial number of CVD patients are within the 40-70 age bracket, and even younger individuals are not immune. Rheumatic heart disease, for instance, disproportionately affects children and adolescents.
This shift in demographics underscores the widespread nature of the risk factors: unhealthy diets dominated by processed foods, sugary drinks, and excessive salt; sedentary lifestyles due to increased urbanisation; and the persistent challenge of tobacco and alcohol use. The notion that “it won’t happen to me” is a dangerous illusion that needs to be shattered.
Reports indicate a significant increase in CVD admissions and deaths in Nigerian hospitals. Hypertension, often undiagnosed and untreated, is a primary driver. Cardiomyopathies, rheumatic heart disease, and coronary artery disease are also prevalent, straining an already stretched healthcare system. The implications are dire, not just for individuals but for the nation’s development.
Nigeria’s healthcare system faces significant challenges in addressing cardiovascular disease, where:
– Many communities lack access to healthcare services, including preventive care and treatment.
– Healthcare facilities often lack the necessary equipment and personnel to provide quality care. We are saying strengthen our primary healthcare centres (PHCs) to serve as the first line of defence for prevention, early diagnosis, and management of CVD risk factors.
– The “brain drain” of skilled doctors, nurses, and specialists, who are seeking better opportunities abroad, has left a significant gap in the workforce. The doctor-to-patient ratio is alarmingly low, severely impacting access to quality care.
– There are only a handful of centres capable of performing complex cardiac procedures nationwide, and there is a severe shortage of cardiologists. –
– The National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) covers a small percentage of the population, leaving millions vulnerable to catastrophic health expenditures.
We are saying our policymakers and government can make the following possible in addressing the growing burden of cardiovascular disease by:
– Allocate more resources to healthcare, particularly for preventive care and treatment of cardiovascular disease.
– Help in upgrading our healthcare facilities and equipment to provide quality care.
– Launch public awareness campaigns to educate people about heart health and the importance of preventive care.
– Implement initiatives to train more cardiologists and cardiac surgeons, offering attractive incentives to retain them within the country. This includes better remuneration, improved working conditions, and opportunities for continuous professional development.
– Aggressively expand the reach of the National Health Insurance Scheme, especially to the informal sector, to ensure universal health coverage and reduce the financial burden on individuals.
– Encourage collaborations between government and private healthcare providers to leverage expertise, technology, and investment in the cardiac care sector.
– Formulate and rigorously implement comprehensive national strategies focusing on prevention, early detection, and affordable treatment.
We know that a critical missing beat in the fight against heart disease is widespread awareness and accessible medical health screening. Many Nigerians are unaware of their risk factors or the early signs of heart disease, so.
– Government, in collaboration with health organisations and media, must launch sustained, culturally sensitive public awareness campaigns. These campaigns should educate the populace on heart-healthy lifestyles, risk factors (hypertension, diabetes, obesity, smoking, unhealthy diet, and physical inactivity), and the importance of regular check-ups.
– Implement widespread, affordable, and accessible heart health screening programmes at all healthcare centres, from PHCs to tertiary hospitals. These screenings should include blood pressure checks, cholesterol tests, blood sugar monitoring, and basic cardiac assessments. They must be accessible and affordable too.
– Promote awareness/community outreach through community health workers and local leaders to reach remote areas and encourage participation in screening and educational initiatives.
– Explore the use of mobile health technologies and telemedicine for remote consultations, health education, and follow-up, especially in underserved areas.
Non-profit organisations and international bodies working on non-communicable diseases (NCDs) globally play a vital role in complementing government efforts. Organisations like the World Heart Federation, NCD Alliance, Project HOPE, the World Health Organisation (WHO), and the local organisations are at the forefront of this battle. They need support and access to more funding. Positive welcome/collaborations from the government and policymakers so as to make more impacts and be able to fund local and national organisations working within the noncommunicable diseases (NCDs).
ROHSI is saying! Let’s take action to protect our hearts and prevent cardiovascular disease. Our heart doesn’t wait. Get checked today. Eat better. Move more. Advocate for change. Together, we can ensure fewer families suffer preventable loss.
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