By Doris Obinna
Consultant Cardiologist at the University College Hospital, Ibadan, Dr. Ikechukwu Ogah, has described heart failure as second deadliest disease in Nigeria behind lung cancer,
Speaking during an awareness event for heart failure, organised by Novartis, he said heart failure is so deadly that in six months about 17 per cent of those diagnosed of it would die.
According to him, “In six months, about 17 per cent of people who have heart failure would have died. In one year, 34 per cent would have died based on the study conducted at Ile-Ife. In five years, more than 50 per cent of people who have been diagnosed of heart failure would have died. Heart failure is deadly.”
Ogah said it was a result of the critical nature of the disease that the event was organized, with the view to sensitising members of the public on the threats as well as offer professionals’ advice on how to manage it.
He said people die of the disease as a result of ignorance.
Also, Consultant Cardiologist, University of Abuja Teaching Hospital (UATH), Dr. Dike Ojji, while speaking management of the disease, advised people suffering it to take measures such as watching their diet and staying away from fried food, regularly taking their prescribed medication as well staying away from self-medication and pain killer drugs.
Ojji further admonished that patients should have a connection with a cardiologist as their medication could change.
Also present at the event are other cardiologists, like Consultant Cardiologist, Aminu Kano University Teaching Hospital (AKTH), Prof. Kamilu Karaye; Consultant Cardiologist, Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Prof. Amam Mbakwem; Consultant Cardiologist, Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital (OAUTH), Prof. Micheal Balogun, who was chairman of the occasion; Consultant Cardiologist, University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH), Dr. Maclean Akpa and Consultant Cardiologist, University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital (UITH), Prof. Ibraheem Katibi.

Related News