WorldStage– May & Baker Nigeria Plc on Friday urged Nigerian adults to cultivate the habit of checking their blood pressure regularly to prevent hypertension-related complications and sudden deaths.
The company made the call during an awareness walk organised in Lagos to commemorate the World Hypertension Day.
World Hypertension Day is observed annually on May 17 to raise awareness and promote the prevention, detection and control of hypertension.
Speaking during the exercise, the Managing Director of May & Baker, Mr Patrick Ajah, said many Nigerians paid little attention to their health despite the increasing prevalence of hypertension.
Ajah described hypertension as one of the most common silent ailments affecting adults, noting that regular blood pressure checks could help detect the condition early and reduce the risk of severe complications.
According to him, high blood pressure is a major risk factor for cardiovascular diseases such as stroke and heart attack, which remain among the leading causes of death.
“High blood pressure is a leading cause of death among adults, but regular checks can help avert critical conditions that may result in death.
“Stress is a major risk factor for many diseases, and some of these conditions can lead to sudden death if they are not detected early and properly managed.
“Someone who appears healthy may still be at risk. That is why routine medical check-ups are very important,” he said.
Ajah said the company used the awareness walk to sensitise residents of Ikeja and surrounding communities to the importance of regular blood pressure monitoring.
Also speaking, the Chairman of Ikeja Local Government, Mr Akeem Dauda, commended May & Baker for organising the annual health awareness campaign.
Dauda said such initiatives should be held more than once a year to ensure that more residents receive information on healthy living and disease prevention.
He pledged the council’s continued support for programmes aimed at promoting public health.The event featured free blood pressure and blood sugar tests, health talks and the distribution of gifts to participants, including passers-by and traders who took advantage of the exercise.
