Dr Ogunmodede James, a consultant cardiologist, on Tuesday advised the public to avoid sedentary lifestyles to prevent heart related diseases.
James told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Omu-Aran, Kwara, that lifestyles with little or no physical activities could hamper functions of the heart in humans.
The expert, who works at the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, (UITH) expressed concern over increased menace of Ischemic Heart Diseases (IHD) among the people.
Ischemic heart diseases result from deficient supply of blood to the heart or brain due to obstruction of the inflow of arterial blood.
He also explained that Ischemic heart disease were due insufficient oxygen delivery to meet the metabolic demand of the heart muscle.
James disclosed that cardiovascular diseases are common cause of mortality for people of the middle age bracket, adding that that global burden of IHD increased by 29 million between 1990 and 2010.
He attributed the rise in the prevalence of IHD to the changes in the phases of history that human had passed through, where the ancient man needed to toil hard to hunt for food.
“The modern man gets its food easily without too much toil which has led to sedentary lifestyle among the people.
“Ninety per cent of countries, worldwide, have recorded increases in lifespan but are likely to develop cardiovascular diseases.
“This leads to risk factors such as obesity, mental stress and hypertension generally referred to as ‘silent killer’ affecting billion people worldwide.
James further said a local experience analysis carried out in UITH between 1994 and 2004 recorded 10 cases of IHD.
He said between 2006 and 2009, the hospital recorded an increase of 14 cases.
The cardiologist advocated national policies and programmes on food and nutrition to stem increase in heart related diseases.
He called on government at all levels to lay special emphasis on physical health education and give adequate support to the health of children, women and adolescent in the country.
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