By Adeyinka Adeniran
Following reports of deaths of some Nigerians in relations to the ongoing African Cup of Nations matches, the Nigerian Cardiac Society has warned Nigerians to be vigilant about their cardiovascular health.
Tasking all Nigerians to learn the warning signs of cardiac distress and how to respond in an emergency, the Society urged the people to know their family history and risk factors and get regular screenings.
It also wants Nigerians to take steps to manage conditions like hypertension, high cholesterol, and diabetes, while also avoid smoking, eat healthy, exercise, and manage stress.
Additionally, the Society urged those with heart disease to take medications as prescribed and follow doctor’s advice, warning them to avoid getting overly excited during games and take breaks as needed.
In a release issued and signed by Prof. Augustine Odili, Prof. Chizindu Alinkor and Prof. Adeseye Akintunde, President, Secretary-General and Publicity Secretary respectively, the Society said the call became imperative in view of the recently reported incidents of sudden deaths associated with football matches.
The group said together the nation can honor those it has lost by preventing similar tragedies in the future
The statement reads in part, “The Nigerian Cardiac Society notes with utmost concern the several reported cases of sudden deaths among Nigerians both at home and abroad directly or indirectly linked with the surge of emotions associated with the Nigeria- South Africa Match during the ongoing African Cup of Nations (AFCON 2023) competition holding in Cote D’Ivoire.
“The society wishes 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.
“The social media space in the last few days and the conventional media has been flooded with the mention of at least four Nigerians who died suddenly in the events surrounding the said football match. All of these were reported to have either slumped or died during or immediately after watching the very tense Nigeria-South Africa match.
“While the society cannot authoritatively confirm the exact cause of death in these situations without prejudice, we owe it 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 many of which are highly prevalent among Nigerians and are also poorly controlled.”
The reads further “The untimely deaths of these Nigerians are a stark reminder that we must be vigilant about our cardiovascular health. Sports and other emotional events can trigger arrhythmias, heart attacks, and strokes in those with underlying heart conditions.
“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. 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. Warning symptoms preceding a sudden death may include chest pain, breathlessness, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, and fainting attacks. It should be noted that left-sided chest pain should not be taken with levity and should warrant a medical examination.
“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.
“The Nigerian Cardiac Society calls 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, encouraging 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 President of the NCS, Prof. Augustine Odili therefore calls 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.
