NMA tasks stakeholders on prevention of sudden death

Government and stakeholders in the health sector have been charged to be more committed in raising awareness about the menace of hypertension to reduce sudden deaths among Nigerians.

The chairman of the Nigeria Medical Association (NMA), Kwara branch, Dr. Kunle Olawepo, gave this charge in illorin, the Kwara state capital on Wednesday in a statement commemorating the 2017 celebration of the World Hypertension Day.

The annual Hypertension Day serves to remind Nigerians that high blood pressure is the first sign that many organs in the body are under attack and could ultimately lead to multiple organ failure.

Olawepo, in the statement, described hypertension as a major cause of sudden death called for more sensitization programme by stakeholders in the Health sector on the danger of the hypertension.

The NMA boss lamented that sudden death in Nigeria through hypertension has reached an alarming proportion which needs to be tackled to allow more people contribute meaning to economic growth and development of the nation.

Olawepo advised Nigerians to always check their blood pressure by a qualified health provider and think more carefully about the consequences of an unhealthy lifestyle

To maintain a normal blood pressure, the NMA recommended losing of weight if overweight,reducing the salt content of diet, engaging in regular exercise, complying with medications if already on treatment among others,

The World Hypertension Day was first inaugurated in May 2005 and has become an annual event ever since commemorated every 17th day of May.

The theme for this year’s World Hypertension Day is ‘Know Your Numbers,’ with a goal of increasing high blood pressure (BP) awareness in all populations around the world.