By John Odhe, YENAGOA
A cardiologist consultant at the Niger Delta University Teaching Hospital, Okolobiri, Dr. Ajayi Adebayo, has called on adults aged 18 and older to take proper care of their heart health, emphasizing that cardiovascular diseases were the most common cause of death worldwide.
Adebayo, who spoke on the sidelines of the 2026 World Heart Day, said an estimated 17 to 20 million people die worldwide every year from cardiovascular-related diseases, with Nigeria accounting for over 20,000 of those deaths.
Speaking in an interview at Okolobiri in Yenagoa on the theme of the celebration, “Don’t Miss a Beat,” the cardiologist maintained that the normal heart rate for an adult was 60 to 100 beats per minute, stressing that heart disease could be a monster if not detected early.
Speaking further, the medical expert identified high blood pressure as the most common root cause of all other heart diseases.
Adding that high blood pressure was often without symptoms, Adebayo urged people to get regular checkups of their heart rate and blood pressure from health practitioners.
He said maintaining good heart health required making deliberate decisions, including eating a low-salt diet, getting a good sleep time and regular exercise, especially brisk walking, jogging, and skipping and reducing the excessive intake of soft drinks and sugary content.
World Heart Day is celebrated on September 29 every year to raise global awareness about cardiovascular disease (CVD), its prevention, and its massive impact on public health.
