Amid high hypertension prevalence in Nigeria and skyrocketing drug prices, medical experts are worried over the alarming number of Nigerians living with the killer disease who are not receiving treatment despite being aware of its associated life-threatening complications and non-communicable disease risk when not controlled or properly managed. The physicians disclosed that half of over 35 per cent of the adult population in Nigeria with hypertension are not on treatment, stating that they are seeing more and more hypertension-related complications because patients are not able to buy their medications.
Hypertension (high blood pressure), the World Health Organization says, is when the pressure in an individual’s blood vessels is too high (140/90 mmHg or higher). It adds that hypertension is common but can be serious if not treated while identifying older age, genetics, being overweight or obese, not being physically active, high-salt diet, and drinking too much alcohol as some of the risk factors. Among other complications, WHO states that hypertension can cause heart attack, heart failure, sudden death, stroke, kidney damage, and kidney failure.
Experts say although hypertension is not curable, it is, however, controllable with both lifestyle modifications and medications.
An estimated 1.28 billion adults aged 30–79 worldwide have hypertension, with the majority (two-thirds) residing in low- and middle-income countries, according to the WHO. Data from the Nigerian Hypertension Society suggests a prevalence of about 38 to 42 per cent in the adult population in Nigeria, which it describes as very high. Although most people with hypertension do not feel any symptoms, doctors say very high blood pressure can cause headaches, blurred vision, chest pain, and other symptoms. They noted that regular blood pressure check remains the best way to find out if one has hypertension or not. A Consultant Nephrologist at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Idi-Araba, Dr Babawale Bello, said that the economic hardship in the country had compounded the burden of hypertension and its associated complications in the country.
The Associate Professor of Medicine at the College of Medicine, University of Lagos, stated that due to the high cost of drugs, a lot of Nigerians with hypertension are no longer on medication, adding that even those on medications are not so regular as a result of cost. The nephrologist, however, said that they (physicians) are particularly worried that many Nigerians with the condition that is known to be a silent killer are not even aware that they have it. He disclosed that it is very dangerous for someone with high blood pressure not to be aware of it, warning that it could lead to sudden death. Bello noted, “We are worried that half of Nigerians with hypertension don’t know they have it. Of those who know, only half are taking treatment and of those who are taking treatment, only half are controlled. “For us as a people, it is even worse now because of the rising cost of care. So, discuss with your doctor if you have challenges buying the medicine he has prescribed. There are always cheaper alternatives he can prescribe”
