The Nigerian Cardiac Society (NCS) has raised concern over the growing exposure of young Nigerians to cardiovascular diseases, linking the trend partly to sedentary lifestyles, unhealthy diets, and reduced physical activity.

President of the NCS, Rasaaq Adebayo, said this on Monday in Abuja at the 2026 World Heart Day celebration, themed “Don’t Miss a Beat,” organised in collaboration with the World Heart Federation.

Mr Adebayo said heart diseases, including hypertension, could remain unnoticed for a long time, making regular health checks and early prevention important even for people who appear healthy.

He urged Nigerians, particularly young people, to adopt heart-healthy lifestyles by exercising regularly, eating more fruits and vegetables, reducing their intake of salty, sugary, and fatty foods, and avoiding smoking and excessive alcohol consumption.

He said regular physical activity, healthy eating, adequate sleep, and avoidance of harmful substances remained key components of primary prevention.

The NCS president also advised people with a family history of hypertension, diabetes, or heart disease to pay closer attention to their health and undergo appropriate checks.

Mr Adebayo said cardiovascular disease prevention should not be left to the government or health professionals alone, stressing that individuals also had an important role to play in protecting their heart health.

He, therefore, called for sustained public education and early detection to reduce the impact of cardiovascular diseases among Nigerians.

The secretary-general of the NCS, Ejieroghene Umuerri, said lifestyle changes associated with modernisation were contributing to reduced physical activity among young people.

She said activities that previously involved movement, such as walking for transportation and outdoor recreation, were increasingly being replaced by cars, motorcycles, mobile phones, video games, and other sedentary forms of entertainment.

According to her, increased screen time and reduced physical exercise could expose young people to health risks if not addressed early.

“We raise children and provide them with these gadgets, so we must regulate how they use them. Parents must make efforts to instil a healthy rotation of activities for children to avoid excessive sedentary behaviour.”

She also expressed concern over unhealthy eating habits among youths, urging a change in the perception that fruits and vegetables were meant mainly for older people.

The secretary-general said adequate sleep was another important component of cardiovascular health, noting that many young people now spend long hours watching television or using electronic devices.

Ms Umuerri urged families, schools, and communities to encourage young people to become more physically active and make healthier food choices.

The World Heart Day is an annual global observance commemorated on September 29 to raise awareness about cardiovascular diseases and promote preventive heart health. 

(NAN)