AFCON 2024: Society cautions Nigerians on emotional events, over excitement

The Nigerian Cardiac Society, has cautioned Nigerians to avoid getting overly excited during games, and emotional events, while advising taking breaks if needed.

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The warning is coming ahead of the match between Super Eagles of Nigeria and their counterpart from Cote D’Ivoire for the ongoing African Cup of Nations (AFCON 2023) competition holding in Cote D’Ivoire in a commiseration message jointly signed by Prof. Augustine Odili, the National President, Prof. Chizindu Alinkor, the Secretary-General and Prof. Abiodun Akintunde and the Publicity Secretary .

The society in the statement forwarded to VON in Ilorin, commiserated with the families of the deceased linked with the surge of emotions associated with the Nigeria- South Africa Match AFCON 2024 competition holding in Cote D’Ivoire.

They warned that sports and other emotional events can trigger arrhythmias, heart attacks, and strokes in those with underlying heart conditions.

“The society notes with utmost concern the several reported cases of sudden deaths among Nigerians both at home and abroad directly or indirectly.

“We wish to commiserate with the immediate families of the deceased and the Country at large and pray for the repose of the souls of the deceased.

“The reported deaths of at least four individuals occurring during the Match leaves much to be desired on the cardiovascular health of Nigerians,” they said.

The society observed that while they cannot authoritatively confirm the exact cause of death in these situations without prejudice, it is a duty to call the attention of Nigerians to the very possibility that sudden death can often occur either in the presence/absence of risk factors.

The experts explained that many of these risk factors are highly prevalent among Nigerians and are also poorly controlled.

They described sudden death as a natural, unexpected fatal event occurring within one hour from the onset of symptoms, in an apparently healthy subject, or in one whose disease was not so severe to predict such an abrupt outcome.

“Sudden cardiac death can be defined as death resulting from abrupt loss of cardiac function with or without previous heart disease unexpected within 1 hour of onset of symptoms.

“About 50 percent of all deaths from heart diseases are sudden regardless of the aetiology.

“It has also been shown that 89 percent of all sudden cardiac death occur outside the hospital and less that 40 percent are witnessed,” they said.

The Surgeons stated that the causes of sudden death are as varied as its presentation, including complications of hypertension, heart attack, stroke, heart failure, cardiomyopathies, valvular disorders and, pulmonary thromboembolism among others.

They explained further that the risk factors for heart disease are many, including lack of physical exercise, smoking tobacco, consuming alcohol, eating unhealthy diets rich in salt and saturated fats and low in fresh fruits and vegetables.

“Other risk factors include high blood pressure (hypertension), high blood lipids/cholesterol (dyslipidaemia), overweight and obesity, and diabetes mellitus.

“Hypertension is the most common risk factor for heart disease and stroke in Nigeria.”

The experts in heart diseases observed that, three out of every 10 adult Nigerians have high blood pressure, many of whom are unaware of their hypertensive status.

They called for effective blood pressure control as a major panacea for reducing the cardiovascular risk of affected people.

According to them, only about seven percent of hypertensive subjects have been shown to achieve effective blood pressure control in Nigeria and other sub-Saharan African countries.

“We urge all Nigerians to learn the warning signs of cardiac distress and how to respond in an emergency. Know your family history and risk factors and get regular screenings.

“Take steps to manage conditions like hypertension, high cholesterol, and diabetes. Avoid smoking, eat healthy, exercise, and manage stress.

“For those with heart disease, take medications as prescribed and follow your doctor’s advice.

“It should be noted that left-sided chest pain should not be taken with levity and should warrant a medical examination,” they said.

The doctors urge all Nigerians to learn the warning signs of cardiac distress and how to respond in an emergency. Know your family history and risk factors and get regular screenings.

They advised people to take steps to manage conditions like hypertension, high cholesterol, diabetes and avoid smoking, eat healthy, exercise, and manage stress.

They called on those with heart disease to take medications as prescribed and follow their doctor’s advice and avoid getting overly excited during games and take breaks as needed.

“Have emergency numbers handy and do not hesitate to call for help. Better to miss a play than miss a life.

“With preventive care and caution, we can still cheer on our teams while safeguarding our health.

“We call on all Nigerians to look out for one another and promote heart-healthy lifestyles. Together we can honor those we have lost by preventing similar tragedies in the future,” they said.

The Society called on the government to increase the funding for health to encourage early and regular screening for cardiovascular risk factors.

“There is also an urgent need for institutionalizing effective cardiovascular care among Nigerians by providing adequate facilities for the hospitals.”

They also called for adequate remuneration for health workers to discourage brain drain in the health sector, and promoting effective lifestyle modification to reduce the burden of cardiovascular disease among the population.

The society called for calm and collective activity of all Nigerians to stem the tide of the rising cardiovascular disease scare among Nigerians with effective surveillance and population-oriented preventive strategies.