Prof. Babatunde Salako, the Director-General of the Nigerian Institute of Medical Research (NIMR), has urged Nigerians to pay attention to their health to prevent hypertension.

Salako, who described hypertension as a silent killer, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos on Friday that regular screening was key to preventing or managing the disease.

He added that individuals within the age range of 45 to 60 years were at high risk of having hypertension , including individuals with family history of hypertension.

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He said:” If you don’t want to die young or live the rest of your life with stroke, it is very important to pay attention to your health.

“Hypertension is a silent killer that doesn’t give any symptoms like malaria.

It increases bit by bit until it bursts an artery which results to stroke, cardiac arrest, kidney failure or even death.

“It is common in older adult but we are beginning to see young people having it and it also grows with age.

” Ages 45 to 60 years are very dangerous ages because a lot of people die within that range.

“You must pay due attention to your health by going for regular screening and taking your prescribed drugs”.

Speaking also, Dr Danladi Nmadu, a Consultant Physician/Nephrologist, said hypertension is blood pressure that puts an individual at increased risk of having cardiovascular events.

According to Nmadu, who works at the Federal Medical Centre, Ebute Metta, the cardiovascular events cause damage to the heart, brain and the kidney.

“Hypertension is a blood pressure that is elevated and this can increase the risk of cardiovascular event.

“A lot of individuals think hypertension is over flogged and that is why many Nigerians are working about with elevated blood pressure and are not aware.

“It is important for Nigerians to check their blood pressure regularly to prevent cardiovascular events that will put them at risk,” he said.

He noted that young people with hypertension should get their thyroid and kidney check, attributing the diseases to being a major cause of hypertension in young people.

The consultant, however, advised Nigerians to check their blood pressure regularly and shun unhealthy lifestyle to prevent hypertension.