Nigerian Cardiac Society reveals 40% of adults suffer from hypertension

NIGERIA—The Nigerian Cardiac Society (NCS) has expressed serious concern over the growing prevalence of cardiovascular diseases in Nigeria, revealing that up to 40 percent of adults suffer from hypertension.

This alarming statistic was shared during the Society’s 54th Annual General Meeting and Scientific Conference held in Abuja on Wednesday.

The event coincided with the 17th Biennial Pan African Society of Cardiology (PASCAR) Conference, where experts gathered under the theme “Cost-Effective Interventions for Mitigating the Burden of Cardiovascular Diseases in Africa.”

Okechukwu Ogah, the immediate past president of the Nigerian Cardiac Society, emphasized that high blood pressure remains the most significant health threat to Nigerians.

He stated that more than 30 percent, and in some studies up to 40 percent, of Nigerian adults aged 15 and above are affected by hypertension.

During his leadership, Mr. Ogah prioritized gathering evidence to better understand the scope of heart disease in Nigeria.

One major achievement was establishing national cardiac registers to collect baseline data on cardiovascular health.

Furthermore, the NCS partnered with the federal government to create task-shifting guidelines.

These guidelines enable trained primary healthcare workers to manage hypertension cases in communities where doctors are scarce, improving access to care for many.

The conference drew a diverse group of participants, including researchers, policymakers, civil society, and industry leaders from across Africa and beyond.

 Hypertension, or high blood pressure, is the most common non-communicable disease in Nigeria and is a leading cause of stroke, heart failure, kidney failure, and premature death.

Despite the high numbers, many people remain unaware they have the condition; studies suggest that 30 to 40 per cent of Nigerian adults unknowingly live with hypertension.

The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that non-communicable diseases, including hypertension, diabetes, cancer, and chronic respiratory diseases, account for over 25 percent of all deaths in Nigeria.

Experts warn of a “silent epidemic” because hypertension often shows no symptoms until serious complications arise.

Detection and treatment rates remain very low, with fewer than one in five sufferers aware of their condition, and an even smaller number receiving consistent treatment.

Several factors drive the rise in hypertension, including unhealthy diets rich in salt and processed foods, lack of exercise, smoking, and excessive alcohol consumption.

In addition, limited healthcare access and the high cost of medications make managing the condition more difficult for many Nigerians.

Africa has the world’s highest hypertension prevalence but also some of the lowest awareness and treatment rates.

Augustine Odili, the current NCS president, cited the rapid increase of cardiovascular diseases across Africa as the reason for this year’s conference theme.

He highlighted that treatment costs are often beyond the reach of ordinary Nigerians, citing open-heart surgery which can cost up to 12 million naira (US$16,000).

While some support exists for interventional cardiology and surgeries, Mr. Odili stressed that government involvement is essential to make treatment sustainable.

He advocated for a multisectoral approach to combat heart disease, explaining that addressing cardiovascular health extends beyond hospitals to encompass road infrastructure, environmental factors, social issues, and broader public health policies.

Fatima Kyari, Registrar of the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria, noted that heart diseases deeply affect not only individuals but families and the nation’s development.

She called for Nigeria to keep pace with global advances in cardiovascular medicine and technology, stressing the need for education and treatment access.

Elijah Ogola, president of PASCAR, reiterated the organization’s commitment to improving heart health across Africa by training health workers beyond cardiologists and empowering the public to take charge of their heart health.

He emphasized that effective policies and medical practices must be grounded in solid research and data.

Adeseye Akintunde, NCS media and publicity secretary, added that the Society is actively engaging communities nationwide to raise awareness about heart health.

He warned that with an aging population, the burden of non-communicable diseases like heart failure continues to rise, highlighting the urgent need for action.

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