More than 235,000 Nigerians die from cardiovascular diseases every year, the Nigerian Heart Foundation (NHF) has disclosed, warning that many heart conditions can develop silently from childhood into adulthood.
The Foundation gave the warning in Lagos during a press conference to mark the 2026 World Heart Day, stressing the need to begin heart-health education in schools and extend it to families to curb the country’s cardiovascular disease burden.
World Heart Day was commemorated on September 29, with the NHF adopting the theme, “Healthy Hearts: From the Classroom to the Families,” while the World Heart Federation’s global campaign focused on “Don’t Miss a Beat.”
According to the NHF, cardiovascular diseases account for 19.8 million of an estimated 63 million deaths globally each year. It added that at least 80 per cent of premature deaths from heart disease could be prevented by addressing five major risk factors: tobacco use, unhealthy diet, physical inactivity, harmful alcohol consumption and air pollution.
Executive Director of the NHF, Dr Kingsley Akinroye, said cardiovascular diseases should no longer be viewed as conditions associated only with old age, stressing that prevention must begin early.
Akinroye urged Nigerians not to wait until symptoms become severe before seeking medical attention, warning that some heart conditions can remain unnoticed until they become critical.
He advised adults to undergo medical checks at least once a year, particularly blood pressure checks, identifying hypertension as one of the most common cardiovascular conditions in Nigeria.
The NHF executive also warned against excessive salt consumption, saying unhealthy dietary habits acquired early in life could increase cardiovascular risks.
He urged families to encourage children to eat healthier foods, engage in regular physical activity and undergo routine health checks.
“The family needs to be aware. Because awareness is empowerment,” Akinroye said, urging parents to involve children in activities such as walking and regular exercise.
He also called for functional primary healthcare centres close to communities to provide basic cardiovascular screening and support early detection.
The Director of Communications, Mr Dele Adetiba, said educating children about heart health at an early age could help shape healthier choices within households.
“The best way to learn is when you are young. Before you form a habit,” he said, adding that children could also influence adults at home to adopt healthier lifestyles.
Similarly, Mrs Edirin Metsegharun, Founder and Coordinator of the Passion for Healthy Kids Initiative (PHKI), urged schools and families to work together through Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) platforms, with health professionals providing regular health education.
The NHF also called for stronger government investment in cardiovascular disease prevention, treatment and access to medicines.
Akinroye identified the high cost of treatment and dependence on imported medicines as major challenges, urging greater investment in local production of cardiovascular drugs and improved access to cardiac care.
The Foundation also revived its “Keep the Beat” challenge, encouraging Nigerians to engage in regular physical activity as part of efforts to promote lifelong heart health.