Leadnaija
In a heartfelt and urgent appeal, Professor Adeseye Akintunde, a renowned cardiologist and professor of cardiovascular medicine, has called on Nigerians to pay closer attention to their heart health, warning that silent heart diseases are becoming an epidemic across sub-Saharan Africa.
Delivering the 64th inaugural lecture at Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH) in Ogbomoso on Friday, Professor Akintunde didn’t just speak as an academic — he spoke as a doctor who has seen too many lives cut short by illnesses that could have been prevented.
In his lecture, titled “The Heart and Its Venomous Whispers of Disorders,” he described cardiovascular diseases (CvDs) as the world’s biggest killer — and a growing threat in Africa. He spoke of a region undergoing rapid changes — more people moving to cities, eating unhealthier foods, exercising less — all of which are fueling a rise in conditions like hypertension, stroke, and heart failure.
“These diseases don’t always give you warning signs,” he said. “They creep in quietly — and by the time you feel them, the damage is often already done.”
He called for stronger government policies, better healthcare systems, and most importantly, a shift in the way people think about their health.
“We can’t afford to ignore the signs anymore. We must teach our children, our neighbours, and our communities the importance of heart health. Prevention is not just cheaper — it’s life-saving,” he added.
The lecture was followed by free health screenings for everyone in attendance. Dozens of students, lecturers, and community members took the opportunity to check their blood pressure and sugar levels — some for the first time.
“I came for the lecture, but I left with a deeper understanding of how fragile life is,” said one student who got screened. “It made me realise I have to start taking my health seriously — now.”
