Health
Iwosan Lagoon urges Nigerians to prioritise heart health, exercise
Iwosan Lagoon Hospitals has urged Nigerians to take greater responsibility for their cardiovascular health by engaging in regular physical activity, routine health checks and healthy eating.
The hospital made the call on Tuesday during a 10,000-step health walk around Victoria Island, Lagos, to commemorate the 2026 World Heart Day.
The walk, which was part of activities marking the hospital’s 40th anniversary, aimed to highlight the importance of physical activity in preventing cardiovascular and other chronic diseases.
World Heart Day is commemorated annually on September 29 to raise awareness of the dangers of cardiovascular diseases and help prevent premature and avoidable deaths from the conditions.
Speaking during the event, the Managing Director of Iwosan Lagoon Hospital, Victoria Island, Dr Ayobami Kuyoro, said walking was one of the simplest ways to improve cardiovascular health.
“We do this every year to commemorate World Heart Day, where we encourage people to take 10,000 steps to improve their cardiovascular health.
“Walking is very important for cardiovascular health. It helps with blood pressure, blood sugar control and other chronic diseases.
“We want to encourage people not to stop with today’s walk but to become intentional about walking every day,” she said.
Kuyoro said Nigerians should regard their health as a personal responsibility and prioritise preventive care.
“Your health is yours and it should be a priority. More importantly, your heart works for you every second, so you should also do something for your heart. Something as simple as walking can make a difference,” she said.
She urged Nigerians to “know their numbers” by regularly checking their blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar levels, while also maintaining regular exercise and healthy eating habits.
The MD further noted that people who could not exercise for 30 minutes continuously could divide the period into shorter sessions throughout the day.
“Move more. If you work in an office that has an elevator and stairs, sometimes use the stairs. Park your car and walk some distance to your office. You do not always have to be dropped directly at the door.
“We should also watch what we eat, the quantity we eat and even the timing of our meals,” she said.
Kuyoro also cautioned younger Nigerians against assuming that hypertension and other cardiovascular conditions affected only older people.
She noted that hypertension could occur among people in their 20s and 30s and even children, stressing the importance of routine screening regardless of age.
The physician said the hospital also worked with corporate organisations, schools and communities to promote screening and cardiovascular risk assessment.
She explained that such assessments helped healthcare professionals identify individual risk factors and provide personalised recommendations.
Also speaking, the Chief Executive Officer of Iwosan Lagoon Hospitals, Dr Olubisi Oyeniran, said cardiovascular diseases remained a major public health challenge and urged Nigerians to begin prevention early in life.
Oyeniran identified physical inactivity, excessive alcohol consumption and smoking among lifestyle-related risk factors that individuals could modify.
“The decisions we make today really factor into what happens in our future. There are things we can modify now that can give us a better chance of having good cardiovascular health as we age,” he said.
Oyeniran urged Nigerians to incorporate movement into their daily routines rather than waiting for opportunities to undertake formal exercise.
“Move more. In your office, you do not have to take every phone call sitting at your desk. Stand up and walk around. Use the stairs. Park a little farther away so you can get more steps before getting to your office,” he said.
He added that Iwosan Lagoon Hospitals would continue investing in facilities, technology and specialist manpower, particularly in cardiovascular medicine, while providing services across other specialities.
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