‘Physical inactivity kills over 3 million people yearly’  

President, Concern Others Healthcare Support Foundation, Dr Ola Oduwole has said that each year, physical inactivity contributes to over three million people dying from preventable cases such as heart diseases and stroke.

Dr Oduwole, speaking on physical inactivity at the 2018 World Heart Day celebration by the non-governmental organization (NGO) in Ibadan, said that physical activity remained one of the steps to ensure a healthy heart and a longer and better life.

Oduwole, remarking that physical activity is not only sports, said that 30 minutes of moderate intensity activity five times a week can reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke.

He declared that diseases such as stroke and heart disease affect all ages and population groups, adding that these diseases currently causes 17.5 million deaths every year globally, with 80 percent of these deaths in low and middle-income countries, Nigeria, inclusive.

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Dr Oduwole stated that unhealthy diets had been linked to most of these preventable deaths that occur as a result of high blood pressure, high blood sugar, overweight and obesity and high cholesterol.

According to him, “every day, 15,000 people die from the effects of tobacco; heart disease is the number one killer of women and more than 8.6 million women die from cardiovascular diseases and other physical inactivity around the world each year.

“Risk for cardiovascular diseases can begin before birth, during development in the womb and increases further during childhood with exposure to unhealthy diets, lack of exercises and smoking. So, women especially must be heart-friendly during pregnancy to protect their children from these diseases later in life.”

Dr Oduwole highlighted steps to healthy heart and longevity to include regular blood pressure and sugar measurements, avoidance of smoking, being wary of junk foods, reduction in salt intake and increased physical activity.

“High blood glucose can be indicative of diabetes. Cardiovascular diseases account for 60 percent of all deaths in people with diabetes if left undiagnosed and untreated, it can put you at an increased risk of heart disease and stroke.

“So it is imperative to visit the health care professional at least once a year to have your blood pressure, cholesterol and glucose levels, as well as a waist-to-hip ratio and body mass index assessed. This is called cardiovascular risk assessment.

“Once you know your overall cardiovascular risk, you can develop a specific plan of action to improve your heart health and also having this action plan clearly visible in your home as a reminder.”