The wife of Anambra State Governor, and founder of the non-governmental crusade, Healthy Living with Nonye Soludo Initiative, Dr Nonye Soludo has raised alarm over the rising figures of cardiovascular-based deaths, calling for a more intentional medical and habitual discipline.
Mrs Soludo, who was speaking recently in Awka, during a health walk organized by her organization, to raise awareness on the benefits of healthy living.
Addressing residents who turned out for the activity, Dr Soludo noted that the seeming neglect by many people to go for routine heart checks has helped the increase in most cardiovascular diseases, including heart failure, cardiac arrest and stroke, which are the commonest among them.
The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the number one leading cause of death globally, accounting for over 17.9 million mortalities across the globe annually.
In Nigeria, death counts from cardiovascular diseases are doubling annually, basically because of poor medical checks, negligence, ignorance, and other serious factors.
Speaking on the dangers of cardiovascular diseases, Mrs Soludo explained that it is important for everyone to understand that deaths from cardiovascular diseases are usually quick and unfathomable, especially when they are in their acute stages.
She noted that most cardiovascular diseases can be prevented by addressing habitual risk factors such as tobacco use, unhealthy diets and obesity, physical inactivity, and harmful use of alcohol.
The governor’s wife re-emphasized the important role that healthy living plays in finding solutions to cardiovascular deaths, stating that engaging in regular exercise and eating healthy and organic foods are just as important as checking the condition of the heart more often.
“People who are at risk of cardiovascular diseases due to hereditary reasons should be cautious of their overall health habits, and avoid lifestyles that can exacerbate the underlying problem,” she said.
Mrs Soludo further stated that one of the primary pursuits of her NGO, Healthy Living with Nonye Soludo, is to establish a philosophy of well-being that will live in the consciousness of people and help them stay away from disease threats, including those arising from cardiovascular setbacks and wrong dietary choices.
