Two heart attack cases now recorded weekly in Kano teaching hospital

Deputy Provost, Bayero University Kano, Professor Mahmoud Sani  had said in Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, Kano, at least two cases of heart attack are now recorded every week at the hospital,

Sani, a cardiologist, spoke at the first Conference and Annual General Meeting of Association of Clinical and Academic Physiotherapists in Nigeria (ACAPN) at the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals Complex (OAUTHC), Ile Ife, Osun State.

Professor Sani, saying more cases of heart attack now occur in Nigeria, said a review of the hospital’s data only recorded about 30 heart attack cases over a five year period in the past.

He stated that deaths from heart attack and other cardiovascular diseases like stroke is now three to four times that from HIV, Malaria and Tuberculosis.

The expert, who noted physical inactivity, harmful use of alcohol and bad diets as major predisposing factors to these diseases, warned of a looming epidemic of chronic diseases like heart attack, stroke and diabetes in Nigeria.

“We are suffering from a triple burden of diseases– infections, non communicable diseases as well as maternal and child health that we do not have the capacity to manage financially.

“Ischemic heart disease and stroke top the list of these diseases and in the last 10 years, this has not changed,” he stated.

Professor Sani, however, declared that heart attack prevention should start early in life, saying that being born small at birth was a risk factor for heart attack.

According to him, “in them, the process of atherosclerosis, the hardening of the blood vessel walls, starts from the first week of life. So, they stand a higher chance of developing hypertension, also a risk heart attack, stroke and so on.” he said.

Professor Segun Fatunsi, former provost, College of Health Sciences, Obafemi Awolowo University, in his keynote address said chronic diseases like heart attack were more than health issues, as it entrenches in poverty.

The expert, however, said already a package of essential interventions that can tackle the problem even in poorest of countries has been developed by the World Health Organisation(WHO).

Professor Fatunsi declared the need for increased access to medical rehabilitation as a major challenge to helping persons with these chronic diseases recover fully.

OAU’s Vice Chancellor, Professor Eyitope Ogunmodede declared that treatment of chronic diseases like heart attack require a holistic approach.

Prof Ogunmodede, noting that Nigeria lacks enough physiotherapists to care for its needs, urged that more of this professionals are trained. He said they should also be  thought entrepreneurial skills to ensure they can stand alone after graduation.