Medical experts have warned that poor physical activity, climate change, and unhealthy diets are driving the growing heart-related problems in Nigeria.
As Nigeria joined the world to commemorate World Heart Day 2025, themed ‘Don’t Miss a Beat,’ the Nigerian Heart Foundation (NHF) emphasised the need for stronger awareness campaigns, healthier lifestyle choices, and policy reforms to curb the rising tide of cardiovascular diseases.
Akin Osibogun, chairman, World Heart Day 2025, NHF, said that hypertension cases in the country have soared from less than 10 percent in 1990 to between 35 and 40 percent today, making it one of the fastest-growing health challenges nationwide, noting that cardiovascular diseases kill more than 20 million people globally every year, and the numbers are rising in Nigeria.
Osibogun warned that without urgent lifestyle changes and stronger public health policies, the burden of cardiovascular diseases will continue to rise. He added that poor physical activity, unhealthy diets, especially excessive salt and fried foods, obesity, and environmental pollution are driving this surge.
‘The food we eat, the amount of salt in our diet, and our tendency to sit rather than move are fueling hypertension and obesity, which in turn affect the health of our hearts,’ Osibogun said.
Speaking on environmental issues, he added that clean air, green spaces, and safe places to exercise are as critical to heart health as medicine.
‘Beyond lifestyle, environmental pollution and climate change are worsening the risk of heart disease. Clean air and safe spaces for exercise are as important as medical care.
‘Communities without parks, playgrounds, or green spaces deny people the chance to stay active and protect their hearts,’ Osibogun said.
Olugbenga Ogunmoyela, president/CEO, Consumer Advocacy for Food Safety and Nutrition Initiative (CAFSANI), reiterated that unhealthy diets, especially excessive salt intake and fried foods, are major contributors to the rising cases of hypertension and cardiovascular diseases.
‘We must encourage Nigerians to eat more fruits, vegetables, and healthy meals while cutting down on salt, sugar, and processed foods,’ Ogunmoyela said, adding that hydration is equally important, drinking enough water daily helps the heart work more efficiently. ‘The salt content in many of the foods we consume is far above recommended levels, and this is fueling hypertension and related heart problems.
‘We must go back to natural diets and reduce our dependence on processed foods, fried meals, and unhealthy oils,’ he said.
Ogunmoyela also stated that food manufacturers and vendors have a role to play by reducing salt and unhealthy fats in their products, noting that public education on diet is critical because many people are unaware of how much salt they are consuming daily.
Dolapo Koker, member, Nutrition Committee of NHF, warned against the increasing consumption of energy drinks by artisans and young workers, calling it a dangerous habit.
‘It is not good for their health because it kind of addicts them to it,’ she said, noting that most of those energy drinks have very high levels of caffeine, and it overstimulates the heart and puts it into hyperdrive, making it a risk factor.
Beyond healthcare delivery, experts called for policies that make communities healthier and safer, and urged the government to take decisive action.
‘We must build primary health care systems that integrate hypertension screening and treatment in all local government areas; essential drugs for related conditions must be made both available and affordable at the community level.
‘Policy makers must create safer environments, clean air, green spaces, walkways, and playgrounds, so people can exercise and live healthier lives,’ Osibogun said. To mark the 25th anniversary of World Heart Day, the Nigerian Heart Foundation (NHF) also rolled out a series of awareness and fitness campaigns under the global theme ‘Don’t Miss a Beat,’ such as the 25 minutes for 25 days’ challenge, which encourages employees to take short daily exercise breaks in October.
According to Edirin Metseagharun, founder of Passion for Healthy Kids Initiative (PHKI), explained that students will take part in short physical activities and quizzes to encourage healthy habits.
‘Sitting is now like the new smoking, and we don’t want any child to be affected.
‘Even if it’s 15 minutes, whether they are skipping, dancing, or moving in any form, whatever keeps the heart rate rising is what we are proposing to them,’ Metseagharun said.