World Heart Day: NOA Oyo urges citizens against silent killer disease
BY STEPHEN GBADAMOSI
The Oyo State Directorate of the National Orientation Agency (NOA) has admonished citizens to take proactive measures against hidden but preventable diseases capable of claiming lives without warning, with particular emphasis on cardiovascular diseases.
The State Director, Mrs. Ajolayo Sinmiat Akande, made the call in a press release she personally signed and made available to journalists in Ibadan on Tuesday, as she joined the rest of the world in commemorating World Heart Day, observed annually on September 29.
With this year’s theme, “Don’t Miss a Beat,” Mrs. Akande said the observance served as a timely reminder of the importance of paying attention to the health of the heart and taking early action against conditions that could have devastating consequences if neglected.
She noted that cardiovascular diseases, including hypertension, stroke, and other heart-related conditions, continued to claim many lives globally, stressing that early detection, proper medical care, and healthy living remained essential to reducing preventable deaths.
According to her, ignorance about one’s health status, neglect of medical advice, and failure to take prescribed medications could allow otherwise manageable conditions to worsen beyond control.
The state director, therefore, urged citizens to adopt healthy lifestyles by eating balanced and heart-healthy diets, consuming more vegetables and nutritious foods, engaging in regular physical exercise, maintaining a healthy body weight, avoiding smoking and excessive alcohol consumption, and managing stress.
She also encouraged citizens to undergo regular medical checks, particularly blood pressure and cholesterol screening, noting that early detection and prompt treatment could significantly reduce the risk of cardiovascular complications.
Mrs. Akande further advised citizens not to ignore unusual symptoms or discomfort, but to seek professional medical attention immediately whenever they noticed anything unusual concerning their health.
“In line with this year’s theme, ‘Don’t Miss a Beat,’ we must all take responsibility for keeping our hearts healthy. Let the beat, not the music, go on. Many untimely deaths can be prevented when we pay attention to our health, seek medical advice early, and make healthy choices,” she stressed.
She called on citizens, particularly in Oyo State, to heed medical warnings and embrace preventive healthcare as a collective responsibility towards building a healthier and more productive society.
