Earlyface

Dr Olushola Osho, the Chief Consultant
Cardiologist in a private hospital in Ikoyi,
Lagos said on Tuesday that many Nigerians
with cardiovascular problems were
unaware of their condition.
Osho told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)
that cardiovascular diseases referred to
ailments that affected the heart and blood
vessels and by extension, the brain and
kidneys.
“The reason why cardiovascular conditions
also take prominence is that they are the
most cryptic medical things that can hit
people without their knowing.
“Some cardiovascular conditions, especially
high blood pressure will be in people
without any symptoms in the person; they
won’t feel anything, just feel well.
“And the first time the person knows that
anything is wrong is that they are probably
dead or they’ve suffered a massive heart
attack from which they may survive and
subsequently do very badly.
“Or suddenly suffer a very big stroke from
which they don’t recover or they recover
badly or they suddenly find themselves in
kidney failure.“
Osho noted that most Nigerians were in the
habit of ignoring their health problems and
allowing their condition to worsen thus
becoming injurious.
“So it is sensible to know that some of these
conditions, particularly the cardiovascular
ones, will not tell you anything.
“They also present in a very similar way to
any other medical condition like malaria,
body aches and pains, headaches, which
people dismiss very easily.
“Or quickly take one or two tablets and they
may get a respite and think that is the end.
“So these are reasons why people must look
out for themselves and check.“
Osho urged the public to go for regular
medical check-up to be able to detect
illnesses early enough.
He said that regular exercise and healthy
dieting had the capacity to promote the
health of the heart and blood vessels.
He said almonds, whole grains, fish rich in
Omega-3 as well as fruits and vegetables
contained dietary nutrients with the
capacity to boost the wellbeing of the heart.