‘Less than 10% of Nigerians with hypertension achieve blood pressure control’

The Nigerian Hypertension Society says less than 10% per cent of Nigerians with hypertension achieve blood pressure control.

President of the society, Simeon Isezuo, made the disclosure yesterday in Abuja during the 25th annual scientific conference and general meeting of the society.

He said hypertension remains a major public health problem in the country with one out of every three adults in urban areas having the disease.

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He said, “Most of the people that have this condition are not aware of it. This is because hypertension without complications has no symptoms. Those who are aware of hypertension; many of them are not on treatment. And those on treatment do not achieve blood pressure control. That is, their blood pressure is not low enough to prevent them from having side effects of hypertension.”

He said this has a lot of implications for hypertension-related morbidity and deaths, adding that heart attack, heart failure, and sudden death among others  are all consequences of uncontrolled hypertension.

He said the conference provides an opportunity to share knowledge, exchange ideas and discuss innovative strategies that will revolutionise the management of hypertension and pursue its control in Nigeria.

He said the aim of the society is to raise awareness, ensure early detection, prevention and treatment of hypertension, adding that it carries out awareness campaigns about hypertension, and community-based screening, among others.

He enjoined Nigerians to have regular blood pressure checks, and for those who have hypertension to take their medications regularly and see their doctors.

He said, “Hypertension is not a life sentence. It is treatable. It is in fact also, to a large extent, preventable by ensuring a healthy lifestyle, that includes a healthy diet, avoiding excess salt consumption, particularly undertaking regular exercise, which is achievable by living a traditional African lifestyle, that is usually associated with intense physical activities. With this, we will be able to combat this silent killer.”

The Board of Trustees chairman of the society, Prof. Basden Onwubere, said barriers to hypertension control in Nigeria include high cost of medications, and lack of awareness with some people associating spiritual beliefs with the disease.

The cardiologist also called for local manufacturing of drugs saying a large chunk of hypertension drugs used in the country were imported.

The Special Adviser to the President on Health, Dr Salma Anas- Ibrahim who was represented by her technical advisor, Umaru Tanko, said hypertension is not only a clinical condition, but a threat to national productivity, economic stability and sustainable development.

She said the government is taking multifaceted action such as the integration of hypertension treatment and management into primary health care through the Basic Healthcare Provision Fund and the National Health Sector Strategic Development Plan 3, which will soon be implemented.