Young Nigerians face rising hypertension risk – Don raises alarm

A consultant cardiologist, Professor Chizindu Alikor, has raised serious concern over the rising incidence of hypertension among young Nigerians, warning that high blood pressure is “no longer a sickness for the old” as even 18-year-olds are increasingly being diagnosed.

Professor Alikor issued the warning during the 123rd Inaugural Lecture of the Rivers State University, RSU, on Wednesday, delivering a presentation themed: “The Silent Active Engine Bearing Weights of Human Sufferings: The Battle to Stay Alive.”

Explaining the theme of his lecture, Professor Alikor, who is the Chief Medical Director at the Rivers State University Teaching Hospital, RSUTH, described the heart as “the silent active engine” that tirelessly keeps humanity alive despite enormous pressure.

He noted that lifestyle choices are now the greatest threats to heart health.

According to him, “Lifestyle decisions impact the heart,” stressing that diet, stress, excessive salt intake, high refined sugar consumption, obesity, poor diabetes management, and untreated hypertension are major contributors to the growing burden of cardiovascular diseases.

He noted that lifestyle choices are now the greatest threats to heart health.

According to him, “Lifestyle decisions impact the heart,” stressing that diet, stress, excessive salt intake, high refined sugar consumption, obesity, poor diabetes management, and untreated hypertension are major contributors to the growing burden of cardiovascular diseases.

These,” he said, “are components in the domains of suffering that impact negatively on the human heart.”

To address this, the cardiologist proposed the “Alikor Survival Network Model,” a holistic approach involving the individual, family and the healthcare system to ensure better heart care.

Rising Hypertension in Young Adults and Rural Communities.

He also questioned what the situation might be in cities, where urbanization and changing lifestyles have eroded traditional diets and physical activity.

“Urbanization has wiped away the traditional diet and leg walk and has brought us to a sedentary lifestyle,” he said.

Professor Alikor said the research further showed that men have a higher prevalence of cardiovascular risk clusters.

Hypertension, Heart Failure and Stroke Dominating Niger Delta Cases

According to Professor Alikor, heart failure and stroke remain the most common cardiovascular complications among hospitalized patients in the Niger Delta.

He advised that symptoms such as palpitations should never be ignored, describing them as signs of cardiovascular strain that require immediate attention from a cardiologist.

The cardiologist emphasized that survival depends on shared responsibility.

“The battle to stay alive is a collective project and not an individual endeavor,” he said, insisting that the Alikor Heart Survival Network Model, when applied, can protect both individuals and communities.

He highlighted diet as the first line of defense, noting: “Diets rich in vegetables, fruits, legumes, and whole grains are useful.

“Diets high in salt, trans fat, refined sugar, are enemies of the silent active engine (the heart).”

Alikor urged Nigerians to “know your numbers, including blood pressure, blood sugar and cholesterol levels.

Alarmingly, he noted: “In our study we established that even among the very educated, they move around with 200/150, just moving around; very enlightened university professors.”