AFCON: Avoid watching football if you’re hypertensive — Doctors warn Nigerians
Medical experts in the country have warned hypertensive patients against participating in activities that cause excitement or put much pressure on the heart.
Speaking on the possibilities of what could have happened to those who died while watching the football match between Nigeria and South Africa on Wednesday, consultant cardiologist, federal medical centre, Jabi, Dr. Salau Ibrahim, said the sudden collapse could be as a result of stroke, sudden heart attack or stress induced heart problem.
The cardiologist told LEADERSHIP that age matters a lot and for people who are older and have other problems like heart issues or the kidney, they need to be very careful about things that stress the organs, especially the heart.
He cautioned against anxiety or stress, explaining that anxiety is a form of emotional stress.”
Dr. Salau said the major causes of such sudden deaths are stroke or heart attack.
“Like the two incidents that happened on Wednesday, it could be that they had heart attack or abnormal heart reading. it’s possible they are hypertensive, diabetic and have not been checking themselves.
“So, it’s either they had heart attack or they had cardiac arrhythmia, which can predispose someone to having cardiac arrest. Everything still falls under cardiac arrest.
“Those are he major things. Regular check and lifestyle modification is very important. If you have any background comorbidity like hypertension or diabetes, ensure you take your medications regularly,” he advised.
Dr. Salau said “You can watch football even if you are hypertensive but you need to be sure that your blood pressure is well regulated, and taking your medication adequately.
“Being hypertensive is not a contradiction to watching football but you need to know the status of your heart before you watch that kind of very intense game.
“Avoid watching football among the crowd that can put pressure on you,” he advised.
Also, a consultant cardiologist at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), Dr Ramon Moronkola has linked the possible causes of deaths during the football match to stroke as a result of cardiac arrest and heart or brain issue.
