A university don and an expert in stroke management, Professor Arthur
Onwuchekwa, has expressed worry over the increasing cases of
hypertension and stroke in the country.
Onwuchekwa explained that though, the cause of hypertension was
preventable, the lifestyle of some Nigerians was making stroke difficult
to conquer.
The expert, who is a lecturer in the Department of Medicine, Faculty of
Clinical Science, University of Port Harcourt, spoke while delivering a
lecture titled, ‘Stroke: A Preventable Disaster Waiting to Happen’ at
the 135th Inaugural Lecture of the university,
He identified excessive alcohol intake, too much consumption of salt and
poor diet as some of the reasons why people suffered stroke, even as he
expressed the need for a healthy life style, including regular exercise
among Nigerians.
“The prevalence of stroke is high in Nigeria and no age race or class is
speared. There are medical conditions that can be controlled in order
to reduce stroke.
Hypertension is the commonest cause of stroke. If we reduce hypertension
by 10 percent, the mass effect in reduction of stroke will be
gladdening.
“Some kind of lifestyle like excessive intake of salt and alcohol can
cause hypertension. Salt and alcohol damage the blood vessels and cell.
“If you don’t engage in physical exercise, it is also dangerous. Even
poor diet can lead to stroke. If somebody does not control his diabetes
he would be prone to stroke.
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