As Nigeria celebrated its 66th Independence Anniversary, health experts and prominent figures have urged citizens to prioritise heart health. Anchor HMO, Power Oil, and music star Peter Okoye, popularly known as Mr P, made the call during the 10th edition of the Power Oil Walk-Heart On event in Lagos. The organisers described Nigerians as the "heartbeat of the nation." The event aimed to raise awareness about heart health and promote regular physical activity and healthier lifestyle choices.
Dr Sandra Nnamani, Assistant General Manager at Anchor HMO, emphasised that maintaining a healthy heart requires consistent attention and care. She noted that heart health is not just about participating in marathons or responding to symptoms after they emerge. According to her, the heart functions continuously and therefore needs daily care. Nnamani advised Nigerians to make cardiovascular health part of their everyday lives by exercising regularly, eating properly, and monitoring important health indicators.
Nnamani listed high blood pressure, unhealthy cholesterol levels, diabetes, smoking, physical inactivity, unhealthy diet, obesity, and excessive alcohol consumption as major risk factors for cardiovascular disease. She encouraged Nigerians to introduce regular exercise into their routines through activities such as brisk walking, dancing, cycling, swimming, jogging, and using the stairs. Nnamani also recommended reducing the amount of time spent sitting for prolonged periods and undertaking between 150 and 300 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity every week.
On nutrition, Nnamani urged Nigerians to be conscious of both the quality and quantity of food they consume. She advised people to increase their intake of vegetables, fruits, beans, whole grains, nuts, and seeds, while reducing excessive consumption of salt, added sugars, and unhealthy fats. Nnamani stressed that good heart health requires keeping blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar under control, maintaining a healthy weight, and engaging in regular physical activity.
Nnamani also highlighted the importance of regular health checks, including blood pressure, blood sugar, cholesterol, weight, and waist circumference. She noted that hypertension and other cardiovascular risk factors could develop without producing noticeable symptoms. Nnamani advised Nigerians who had been diagnosed with hypertension to take their prescribed medication consistently and not stop treatment merely because their blood pressure readings had improved.
Marketing Manager, Oil and Fats Portfolio, Tolaram Group, Roland Akpe, said the Power Oil Walk-Heart On initiative was designed to encourage Nigerians to pay greater attention to their heart health. Akpe stated that the initiative formed part of activities aimed at raising awareness about heart health and was linked to the World Heart Day campaign. The event provided health screening for thousands of Nigerians in Lagos, including blood pressure and blood sugar checks.
Peter Okoye, popularly known as Mr P of P-Square, expressed pride in Power Oil as a Nigerian product and encouraged Nigerians to incorporate daily walks and other forms of physical activity into their routines. The event aimed to promote early detection of cardiovascular risk factors and encourage healthier lifestyle choices. Key points include:
Key points
- Nigerians are urged to prioritise heart health through regular physical activity and healthier lifestyle choices.
- High blood pressure, unhealthy cholesterol levels, and diabetes are major risk factors for cardiovascular disease.
- Regular health checks, including blood pressure and blood sugar checks, are essential for early detection of cardiovascular risk factors.
