With about 38.1 per cent, representing 76.2 million Nigerians hypertensive as revealed by the Nigerian Heart Foundation (NHF), May & Baker Nigeria Plc has conducted free screening on hypertension for residents in Lagos.
The director/CEO, May & Baker Nigeria Plc, Mr. Patrick Ajah, while speaking with LEADERSHIP, at the Walk For Life event, organised by the company to commemorates World Hypertension Day, on Wednesday, in Lagos, said hypertension is a silent killer, which is claiming the lives of millions of Nigerians.
Ajah disclosed that most Nigerians are walking around, not knowing their health status, adding that the Walk For Life event was to create awareness on the need for Nigerians to check their blood pressure on a regular basis.
“We are using this medium to educate Nigerians on the need to check their blood pressure regularly as it helps to identify hypertension on time and to treat it on time as well,” he stated.
Speaking on ways to prevent hypertension, the CEO tasked Nigerians to eat healthy with plenty of fruits and vegetables. “Nigerians should keep themselves at a healthy weight as over weight can increase the risk for high blood pressure; be physically active, as it helps to keep you at a healthy weight; do not smoke as smoking raises blood pressure and puts one at higher risk for heart attack and stroke; limit alcohol consumption as alcohol can raise your blood pressure and get enough sleep which helps to keep your heart and blood vessels healthy,” Ajah advised Nigerians.
In the same vein, a nurse at May & Baker Nigeria Plc, Joy Osondu has urged Nigerians to check their blood pressure regularly as it is a vital component of preventive healthcare, helping individuals maintain optimal health and helps in hypertension prevention efforts. She however advised Nigerians to seek medical care if their high blood pressure is above 140.
Meanwhile, a beneficiary of the free screening, Mrs Marian Ishola, however applauded May & Baker Nigeria Plc for this initiative, adding that, “I won’t have known that I have high blood pressure, if not for this free screening.”
