A consultant cardiologist, Dr Adeyemi Johnson, has expressed concern over the increasing incidences of coronary heart diseases in Nigeria.
Johnson, the Medical Director and Chief Executive Officer, First Cardiology Consultants Ltd., Lagos, made the statement at the weekend in Lagos in an interview with newsmen.
Coronary artery disease or heart disease occurs as a result of plaque buildup in the coronary arteries, a condition called atherosclerosis, which leads to blockage.
“As a result of the blockage, the arteries, which start out smooth and elastic, become narrow and rigid, restricting blood flow to the heart.
“The heart becomes starved of oxygen and the vital nutrients it needs to pump properly,’’ the website said.
Johnson told newsmen that due to changing lifestyle, a new type of cardiovascular disease or coronary artery disease was on the increase in Nigeria.
He said: “a lot of cardiovascular cases that are presented in our facilities happen to be coronary artery diseases.
“There is need for people to be aware of this; the risk factors and possible causes of coronary heart diseases commonly found in Nigerian patients.
“The major thing is lifestyle. We are adopting all the bad things from the Western world and our diet is getting worse.
“There is more pollution in the air; more sedentary lifestyle; greater consumption of carbonated drinks, fatty food, meat, chicken.
“As a matter of fact, anything fried poses health risk.
The consultant said that the risk factors of coronary heart disease commonly found in Nigerian patients include hypertension, diabetes mellitus, hyperlipidaemia and obesity.
He called on Nigerians to be aware of these diseases as well as the implications of a sedentary lifestyle.
“Most of the things we eat are unhealthy; a lot of starch and oil, all through the day. Nigerians should know that what they are eating is not healthy.