Nigerians between age range of 28 to 30 are mostly affected by cardiovascular diseases – Folasade
With over 30 years of experience, FOLASADE ALLI , a Cardiologist and Medical Director of Lagos Executive Cardiovascular Clinic (LECC) speaks with KEMI AJUMOBI on her cardiology centre and the rate of increase in cardiovascular diseases in Nigeria. Excerpts.
LECC
LECC is a multi-specialist facility, at its heart, a cardiology centre focused entirely on the treatment and management of cardiovascular diseases and trigger diseases using both invasive and non-invasive procedures, as well as preventive cardiology. Furthermore, it is nearly impossible to treat heart conditions and/or trigger factors such as diabetes without screening, treating, and managing other areas of the body that are connected to the heart. Consequently, our clinic also uses the services of medical specialists across several branches of medicine in order to provide an all-round medical experience for our patients in one place. We provide high quality, individualised care for patients who are seeking the best in medical care and health screening.
Hypertension and cardiovascular disease
High blood pressure that is not optimally controlled results in an enlarged heart and thickened blood vessels, which brings on heart failure .Such cascade of complications is collectively called cardiovascular disease.
Figures of Nigerians affected by heart related diseases
It is mind-boggling to know that younger Nigerians between the age range of 28 to 30 are the most affected as a result of lifestyle. In those days, we used to have definition of 40 but now we see 28, 30 years old. It’s like the disease has shifted from 40 to 30, it is coming down to younger people. What you eat and drink, stress level, like when you want to have a house in the ocean and be like the next person around as well, nonchalant attitude towards one’s health, when one takes a lot food that contains high calorie, high fat food items, junks, chocolates, especially high fat content foods that easily produce a lot of bad fat, all these things contribute to blood pressure rising.
LECC, innovation and research initiatives
LECC is more than a clinic. We are innovators, researchers and performance-driven (medical) professionals. We continue researching ways to improve and further develop our services in order to meet patients’ needs and exceed their expectations.
Practicing in Nigeria means limitations by the availability and high cost of resources (especially equipment). However, this gives room for innovation by never allowing these limitations to adversely affect our patient outcomes. Rather, we bring out the best of the situation by using new ideas to the benefit of our patients and environment, and thankfully, God has blessed us with people that contributed funds to acquire the latest equipment including an Ankle Brachial Index Machine for early detection of peripheral vascular disease, and 4D Echocardiogram. Furthermore, there have been times where I have had to be innovative in order to improve patient outcomes, especially in applying cardiovascular therapeutics for complex cardiovascular diseases and using 3D printing of patients’ hearts in order to assist in planning ‘heart repair’. The idea behind this is in using less invasive treatment options that are better at producing the desired outcome. Throughout my 30 years of medical experience, I have been able to complete some research initiatives including a research on knowledge, practice and the use of international medical guidelines in the management of hypertension for the World Congress of Cardiology. But I am most excited about my current initiative with my clinical research team, which is co-led by my daughter who is an enthusiast economist and statistician. We are currently in the design phase of a ten-year long impact evaluation that aims to improve access to and delivery of quality, affordable cardiovascular care services while effectively stimulating human behaviors that improve generational healthy attitudes amongst female market traders and their children .The initiative also aims to advance health policy effectively.
Price policy
We do a lot of healthcare pricing packages, promotions and discounts to make our clinical services available and affordable to many Nigerians, compared to our competitors. In fact, for some patients, we offer our services freely. We also consider a lot of factors when billing including patient’s ability to pay. Ultimately, we believe everyone should have access to quality healthcare regardless of their financial status.
Warning signs of heart attack and stroke
Most heart attacks begin with mild pain and discomfort especially in the center of the chest, which is called angina. It may last for a few minutes with some gaps in-between. Sometimes this discomfort may feel like a squeeze in the chest. Other warning signs include shortness of breath (sometimes in addition to chest pain), pain and discomfort in the upper body areas (such as the jaw, face, stomach, back and arms), cold sweat or cold extremities, nausea/vomiting, and/or dizziness. As for stroke, the warning signs happen suddenly, including sudden dizziness and blurred vision, sudden loss of balance when walking, sudden confused speech or speech difficulty and understanding, sudden face drooping, sudden weakness of the arm, leg – which sometimes happens on one side of the body.
Treatments for heart attack/stroke and side effects
There are 3 main modalities of treatment namely: Lifestyle changes, medications, and surgery (use of devices and transplant). Each treatment has its host of side effects, for example, medication depends on the actual drug and there are several. Antiplatelet drugs, for example, can cause abdominal pain and bleeding. A lifestyle change also has its side effect including nicotine withdrawals, loss of weight, and so on. And the side effect of surgery depends on the type, of which there are many.
How can one join a cardiac rehab program?
First is to consult a cardiac specialist for the appropriate diagnosis, then management and finally join a rehabilitation heart club. We currently run one, which we call Cardiac and Vascular Care Programme for 3 different age groups. We have one for toddlers and children, youths and adults, and adults over 60 years.
What kind of food is suitable for a good heart?
We call them Heart-Healthy Foods, and they include fruit and vegetables, and other foods with low fat, low carbohydrates, low salt content, and moderate protein. I especially love red grapes, oatmeal, baked potatoes, peanuts, and avocados.
Cholesterol and cardiovascular diseases
Bad cholesterol worsens heart problems and may lead to heart disease from thickening of blood vessels to narrowing of vascular lumen. Check cholesterol blood level and if elevated you require both dietary modification and/or drug treatment to bring it to the normal acceptable range.
Diabetes and heart disease
Diabetes plays a critical role in heart disease. Because diabetes destroys blood vessels through which the heart pumps blood to the entire body and itself, diabetic patients are more likely to have certain risk factors that increase the likelihood of developing a heart disease or, even stroke. In fact, if you have diabetes you are more likely to develop a coronary heart disease than someone without diabetes.
Who is at risk of a heart attack?
It depends on individual case. There are several risk factors including hereditary or family history as common blood factors can be inherited. Other risk factors include age – aging increases the risk of damaged arteries and weakened heart muscle, sex (while the risk increases in women after menopause, men are generally known to be at greater risk), poor lifestyle (smoking, poor diet, stress, pollution, obesity, poor hygiene, physical inactivity, and so on), diabetes, high blood pressure and high levels of cholesterol in the blood.
What is the best method of treatment for my heart or cardiovascular disease?
Treatment depends on the history, type, and degree of severity. However, lifestyle changes and appropriate medications are the most important in order to prevent severity and, thus, more aggressive and invasive treatment such as surgery.
Is surgery needed for cardiovascular disease?
It depends on a host of factors. For example, within a few hours of experiencing heart attack, some patients undergo a minimally invasive procedure that restores blood flow in a coronary artery. However, if this window (usually 3 hours) is missed, a similar heart attack patient will need to undergo coronary angioplasty or artery bypass graft surgery in order to improve and restore blood flow.