Hypertension: Pharmacists Caution against Excessive Alcohol Consumption, Drug Abuse

pharmacy

-As Ikotun ACPN takes campaign to market

A group of community pharmacists, under the aegis of Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria (ACPN), Ikotun Zone, have advised the people of Egbe/Ikotun community to avoid excessive alcohol intake, smoking, sedentary life style, drug abuse and stress in order to reduce the risk of hypertension.

The Sub-Zonal Chairperson, Egbe Sub-Zone, of the Ikotun ACPN Zone, Pharm. Elizabeth Oparah, while speaking at a free screening and awareness programme organised by the sub-zone to mark the World Hypertension Day, at the Ile-Iwe Ultra -Modern Market, the Ikotun/Egbe, said hypertension is the most common non-communicable disease in Nigeria presently, and there is need for more awareness on regular checkup, drug education, healthy diet and lifestyle to prevent the disease.

According to her, heart failure is one of the complications of hypertension, which could be avoided by early detection as well as prompt and appropriate treatment. She added that people do not have to be hypertensive before they check their blood pressure, noting that since regular check-up is the only way to eventually know before one become hypertensive, it should be done regularly

Her words: “World Hypertension Day is celebrated annually on May 17 to educate the public and increase awareness on hypertension, commonly known as high blood pressure. The theme for World Hypertension Day 2019 is ‘Know Your Numbers’, with a goal of increasing high blood pressure (BP) awareness in all populations around the world”.

While speaking, the keynote speaker, Pharm. Olusola Moses Jaiyeoba, managing director, CareSpace Pharmacy, Ejigbo, explained that hypertension is a situation in which there is sustained elevation of blood pressure above a threshold of 140 mmHg systolic and 90 mmHg diastolic in an adult, adding that Nigeria accounts for about one-third of the adult population that is hypertensive, while there is poor awareness of the condition.

He however advised Nigerians, especially the market women and men present at the screening venue to avoid excessive salt consumption, engage in regular exercise as well as avoid unhealthy lifestyles like smoking and alcohol consumption, drug misuse and abuse, which is strongly linked to development of hypertension.

“The prevalence of cardiovascular disease in our part of the world is said to have reached epidemic proportion. In most African countries, cardiovascular diseases are the second most common cause of death after infectious diseases”, he said.

While addressing the people, the Director of Information Centre (DIC), ACPN, who is also a practicing pharmacist in the area, Pharm. (Mrs) Bukola Folorunsho, said the risk from hypertension is negligible if the blood pressure is controlled all the time by adhering to lifestyle modifications.

The Pharmacist also urged people with hypertension to consult health practitioners for proper advice and take their medications regularly to achieve good blood pressure control, to prevent complications like stroke, heart failure, heart attack and kidney failure.

Addressing the community pharmacists, the duo of the Iyaloja and Babaloja of the market, Alhaji Lai Momoh, and Alhaja Alimoh Sanusi, appreciated the healthcare practitioners for bringing the awareness campaign and free screening to their doorsteps in order to enlighten their people on the dangers of high blood pressure.

The duo further expressed delight in the free medical screening conducted for their people, adding that the exercise, if continued, would greatly help to prevent illnesses in the community and promote longer, healthier life.

Other personalities in attendance at the event were Pharm. Ajisegiri Michael, managing director, May Suzzie Pharmacy, Agodo, Ogbe;  Pharm. Omotayo Aderinoye, Prinsa Pharma, Ikotun, also a lecturer; Pharm. Fazazee Taofik, chairman, ACPN, Ikotun Zone; Pharm. Ademola Moyosade, and Mrs Titilola Olaonipekun, among others.