Health Tips At Your Disposal

27/10/2025

𝐀𝐫𝐞 𝐘𝐨𝐮 𝐚𝐭 𝐑𝐢𝐬𝐤? 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐢𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐅𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐬 𝐁𝐞𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐝 𝐚 𝐒𝐮𝐝𝐝𝐞𝐧 𝐆𝐨𝐨𝐝𝐛𝐲𝐞

𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧: 𝐀 𝐒𝐡𝐨𝐜𝐤 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐇𝐨𝐬𝐩𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐥

It was 9 AM in the bustling reception of a busy Nigerian tertiary hospital. The air was filled with the usual morning urgency. At the center of it all was a vibrant staff member - a tall, big-built man known for his excellence, hard work, and an exuberant smile that could light up the room. He was the life of the department, always interacting with senior colleagues, attending to needs with gusto, and seemingly enjoying the ‘good things’ of life.

Suddenly, he felt uncomfortable. He gestured to his chest, describing a roaring, overwhelming pain, and before anyone could fully process what was happening, he slumped.

What followed was a scene of profound irony and tragedy. The very "big men" of cardiology and other medical specialties he worked alongside every day rushed to his side. Resuscitation efforts began immediately and continue d frantically as he was rushed to the Intensive Care Unit. Despite the expertise and resources of a top hospital, he was declared dead.

The shockwave that passed through the hospital was immense. How could someone so alive, so present, be gone in an instant? He looked so healthy!

The painful truth is, he was likely harbouring hidden enemies. The clues were there, not in his smile or his work ethic, but in the unseen numbers: Could his weight have been a sign of high cholesterol? Was he living with undiagnosed high blood pressure? His story is a devastating reminder that heart disease often strikes without warning, making understanding your personal risk factors not just important, but life-saving.

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐔𝐧𝐬𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐁𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐥𝐞 𝐖𝐢𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧: 𝐑𝐢𝐬𝐤 𝐅𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐬 𝐄𝐱𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐝

Heart disease doesn't appear out of thin air. It develops over years, fueled by a combination of factors. Some we can control, and some we cannot. Knowing the difference is your first line of defence.

Let's break down the major players, starting with the ones you have the power to change.

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐑𝐢𝐬𝐤 𝐅𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐬 (𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐘𝐨𝐮 𝐂𝐚𝐧 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞)

These are the habits and conditions we can manage with lifestyle changes and, if needed, medication.

𝐇𝐢𝐠𝐡 𝐁𝐥𝐨𝐨𝐝 𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐮𝐫𝐞 (𝐇𝐲𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧): Often called the "silent killer," high blood pressure is a relentless force of blood pushing against your artery walls. Over time, this damages and weakens them, making them more susceptible to plaque buildup. It typically has no symptoms, which is why regular checking is non-negotiable. Blood pressure should be 140/90mmHg or lower to prevent strain on the heart.

𝐇𝐢𝐠𝐡 𝐂𝐡𝐨𝐥𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐨𝐥: Said to be implicated in nearly half of cardiac deaths, this is the raw material for artery-clogging plaque. Think of LDL (the "bad" cholesterol) as tiny trucks dumping sticky garbage into your arteries. HDL (the "good" cholesterol) is the cleanup crew. When you have too much "bad" and not enough "good," the garbage piles up, narrowing the passageways for blood flow.

𝐒𝐦𝐨𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠: There is no safe level of smoking. Chemicals in to***co directly damage the lining of your arteries, accelerate plaque buildup, reduce oxygen in your blood, and make your heart work harder. Quitting is the single most powerful change you can make for your heart health.

𝑨𝒍𝒄𝒐𝒉𝒐𝒍: When it comes to heart health, alcohol presents a complex picture, often described as a double-edged sword. It's vital to understand that any potential benefits are heavily outweighed by the risks, especially as consumption increases.

𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑴𝒚𝒕𝒉 𝒐𝒇 "𝑯𝒆𝒂𝒓𝒕-𝑯𝒆𝒂𝒍𝒕𝒉𝒚" 𝑫𝒓𝒊𝒏𝒌𝒊𝒏𝒈: You may have heard that red wine is good for the heart. This stems from antioxidants like resveratrol, which in laboratory studies showed some promise. However, there is no conclusive evidence that drinking red wine (or any other alcohol) provides unique cardiovascular benefits that outweigh its risks. For most people, the negative impacts of alcohol are far more significant:

𝑹𝒂𝒊𝒔𝒆𝒔 𝑩𝒍𝒐𝒐𝒅 𝑷𝒓𝒆𝒔𝒔𝒖𝒓𝒆: Alcohol is a direct contributor to hypertension, one of the leading risk factors for heart attack and stroke.

𝑰𝒏𝒄𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒔𝒆𝒔 𝑪𝒂𝒍𝒐𝒓𝒊𝒆𝒔 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝑾𝒆𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕: Alcoholic drinks are often high in "empty" calories, contributing to weight gain and obesity.

𝑹𝒂𝒊𝒔𝒆𝒔 𝑻𝒓𝒊𝒈𝒍𝒚𝒄𝒆𝒓𝒊𝒅𝒆𝒔: This is a type of fat in your blood. High levels can contribute to the hardening of arteries.

𝑪𝒂𝒏 𝑳𝒆𝒂𝒅 𝒕𝒐 𝑪𝒂𝒓𝒅𝒊𝒐𝒎𝒚𝒐𝒑𝒂𝒕𝒉𝒚: Heavy, long-term drinking can directly damage the heart muscle, causing it to weaken and fail—a condition known as alcoholic cardiomyopathy.

𝑪𝒐𝒏𝒕𝒓𝒊𝒃𝒖𝒕𝒆𝒔 𝒕𝒐 𝑨𝒓𝒓𝒉𝒚𝒕𝒉𝒎𝒊𝒂𝒔: Binge drinking is famously linked to "Holiday Heart Syndrome," causing sudden, irregular heartbeats (arrhythmias) in otherwise healthy people.

𝐃𝐢𝐚𝐛𝐞𝐭𝐞𝐬: Consistently high blood sugar levels are like a corrosive agent, damaging blood vessels and nerves that control your heart. People with diabetes are at a significantly higher risk of developing heart disease.

𝐎𝐛𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐲 & 𝐚 𝐒𝐞𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝐋𝐢𝐟𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐲𝐥𝐞: Carrying excess weight, especially around the abdomen, forces your heart to work harder to supply blood to your body. A sedentary lifestyle (sitting too much) worsens this, contributing to high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes. Our late colleague’s weight, while part of his vibrant appearance, was likely a major, silent risk factor.

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐔𝐧𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐑𝐢𝐬𝐤 𝐅𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐬 (𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐘𝐨𝐮 𝐂𝐚𝐧'𝐭 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞)

While you can't change these, knowing them helps you and your doctor understand your overall risk profile.

𝐅𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐲 𝐇𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲: Your risk increases if a close relative (parent or sibling) had heart disease at an early age (before 55 for men, 65 for women).

𝐀𝐠𝐞: Simply put, the risk of damaged and narrowed arteries increases as we get older.

𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫: Men are generally at higher risk of heart disease at a younger age. However, a woman's risk increases and can become comparable after menopause.

𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐋𝐢𝐟𝐞-𝐒𝐚𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐂𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐭𝐨 𝐀𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧: 𝐃𝐨𝐧'𝐭 𝐆𝐮𝐞𝐬𝐬, 𝐊𝐧𝐨𝐰.

The story that began this post is the ultimate testament to a simple truth: "Looking healthy" is not the same as being healthy.

The most tragic part of his story is that these risk factors are detectable through simple, accessible tests.

This is why our call to action this week is non-negotiable:

"𝑻𝒂𝒍𝒌 𝒕𝒐 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒅𝒐𝒄𝒕𝒐𝒓 𝒂𝒃𝒐𝒖𝒕 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒑𝒆𝒓𝒔𝒐𝒏𝒂𝒍 𝒓𝒊𝒔𝒌."

This means booking an appointment for a regular medical check-up. Especially after the age of 40, an annual check-up is not a luxury; it is a necessity. This check-up should include:

Blood Pressure Measurement

Blood Tests for Cholesterol and Blood Sugar

A discussion about your weight, lifestyle, and family history.

𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐭-𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡𝐲 𝐇𝐚𝐛𝐢𝐭 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐖𝐞𝐞𝐤: 𝐒𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐝𝐮𝐥𝐞 𝐓𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐀𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭

This week, your single most important task is not in the kitchen or the gym. It's on your phone. Call your doctor or a local clinic and schedule a comprehensive check-up. If you are 40 or above and haven't had one in the last year, this is your top priority. If you are younger but have a family history or any of the controllable risk factors, don't wait.

Honour the memory of those we have lost too soon by taking a step they may have postponed. Let knowledge, not fear, guide your path to a healthier heart.

05/10/2025

One of the men in my husband’s close circle of friends once cheated on his wife.

I still remember the look on my husband’s face the day he came back and shared it with me, a mixture of sadness and disappointment.

The entire group had confronted their friend directly and told him in plain words: “You messed up.”

They cajoled him for weeks and still do.😂
Imagine leaving one fine woman to go fall for one ekuke wey no sabi speak English.. 😂 bro fckup!

He told them it was a mistake, lmao 🤣 person wey you don knack more than 6times na mistake? Akiko!

The irony is that his wife is such a graceful woman, beautiful, decent, and accomplished.
I didn’t know her personally, but I always admired her from a distance and respected her.

So, naturally, I asked my husband, “What next?”

He told me something that struck me deeply. The group has an unwritten code, a pact they all live by:

Never cheat on your wife.

Never cheat on your brother.

Never cheat on your business partner.

Never cheat your customers.

In short: Just don’t cheat.
Don’t break trust.
Don’t invite karma, because when it comes, it may not only come for you, it could spill over to those around you and they fit follow chop your karma.

Me I Sha tipped her off, not directly though, she later pieced things together herself.
Eventually, she filed for divorce as there were other issues that couldn't be resolved.

From that point on, the dynamics shifted.
They began distancing themselves from him, excluding him from certain conversations, withholding business opportunities, even hanging out without him on some occasions.

Their philosophy was simple: “If you can betray the woman you stood before God and an altar to be loyal to, who are we to think you wouldn’t betray us?”

It wasn’t just about the affair, it was about broken trust.
They were legit shocked because he always had nice things to say about the wife except the usual woman drama so how did it even get to that point?

The final straw came when the man insisted that his wife should be the one to move out of their home. At that point, the brotherhood stepped in. Not in front of her, but behind the scenes.

They dragged him, rebuked him, and told him to go and rent another place until the wife either forgave him or made her decision final.
Throwing her out? They were firm: “No way. You messed up, so you bear the consequence.”

They helped him rent a place and put things in order.

And so, till this day, though he’s still in their circle, the trust is fractured.
He’s never been fully brought back into the fold. Business deals, confidences, and deep talks are shared with caution around him.

Because once you violate the most sacred trust, marriage, you prove that your word, your loyalty, and your character may not be as solid as people believed.

And yes I have permission from Nwoke Anambala to share this story... 🌚🌚
Copied

05/10/2025

HYPERTENSION

©WHO

Key facts
An estimated 1.4 billion adults aged 30–79 years worldwide had hypertension in 2024; this represents 33% of the popluation in this age range.
Two-thirds of adults aged 30–79 years who have hypertension live in low- and middle-income countries.
An estimated 600 million adults with hypertension (44%) are unaware that they have the condition.
Approximately 630 million adults with hypertension (44%) are diagnosed and treated.
Approximately 320 million adults with hypertension (23%) have it under control.
Hypertension is a major cause of premature death worldwide.
One of the global targets for noncommunicable diseases is to reduce the prevalence of uncontrolled hypertension by 25% between 2010 and 2025.

Overview
Hypertension (high blood pressure) is when the pressure in your blood vessels is too high (140/90 mmHg or higher). It is common but can be serious if not treated.

People with high blood pressure may not feel symptoms. The only way to know is to get your blood pressure checked.

Things that increase the risk of having high blood pressure include:

older age
genetics
being overweight or obese
not being physically active
high-salt diet
drinking too much alcohol

Lifestyle changes like eating a healthier diet, quitting to***co and being more active can help lower blood pressure.

Some people may still need to take medicines.

Blood pressure is written as two numbers. The first (systolic) number represents the pressure in blood vessels when the heart contracts or beats. The second (diastolic) number represents the pressure in the vessels when the heart rests between beats.

Hypertension is diagnosed if, when it is measured on two different days, the systolic blood pressure readings on both days is ≥140 mmHg and/or the diastolic blood pressure readings on both days is ≥90 mmHg.

Risk factors
Modifiable risk factors include unhealthy diets (excessive salt consumption, a diet high in saturated fat and trans fats, low intake of fruits and vegetables), physical inactivity, consumption of to***co and alcohol, and being overweight or obese. In addition, there are environmental risk factors for hypertension and associated diseases, where air pollution is the most significant.

Non-modifiable risk factors include a family history of hypertension, age over 65 years and co-existing diseases such as diabetes or kidney disease.

Symptoms
Most people with hypertension don’t feel any symptoms. Very high blood pressures can cause headaches, blurred vision, chest pain and other symptoms.

Checking your blood pressure is the best way to know if you have high blood pressure. If hypertension isn’t treated, it can cause other health conditions like kidney disease, heart disease and stroke.

People with very high blood pressure (usually 180/120 or higher) can experience symptoms including:

severe headaches
chest pain
dizziness
difficulty breathing
nausea
vomiting
blurred vision or other vision changes
anxiety
confusion
buzzing in the ears
nosebleeds
abnormal heart rhythm
If you are experiencing any of these symptoms and a high blood pressure, seek care immediately.

The only way to detect hypertension is to have a health professional measure blood pressure. Having blood pressure measured is quick and painless. Although individuals can measure their own blood pressure using automated devices, an evaluation by a health professional is important for assessment of risk and associated conditions.

Treatment
Lifestyle changes can help lower high blood pressure. These include:

eating a healthy, low-salt diet
losing weight
being physically active
quitting to***co.
If you have high blood pressure, your doctor may recommend one or more medicines. Your recommended blood pressure goal may depend on what other health conditions you have.

Blood pressure goal is less than 130/80 if you have:

cardiovascular disease (heart disease or stroke)
diabetes (high blood sugar)
chronic kidney disease
high risk for cardiovascular disease.
For most people, the goal is to have a blood pressure less than 140/90.

DRUGS

There are several common blood pressure medicines:

ACE inhibitors including enalapril and lisinopril relax blood vessels and prevent kidney damage.

Angiotensin-2 receptor blockers (ARBs) including losartan and telmisartan relax blood vessels and prevent kidney damage.

Calcium channel blockers including amlodipine and felodipine relax blood vessels.

Diuretics including hydrochlorothiazide and chlorthalidone eliminate extra water from the body, lowering blood pressure.

Prevention
Lifestyle changes can help lower high blood pressure and can help anyone with hypertension.
Many who make these changes will still need to take medicine.

These lifestyle changes can help prevent and lower high blood pressure.

Do:

Eat more vegetables and fruits.
Sit less.
Be more physically active, which can include walking, running, swimming, dancing or activities that build strength, like lifting weights.
Get at least 150 minutes per week of moderate-intensity aerobic activity or 75 minutes per week of vigorous aerobic activity.
Do strength building exercises 2 or more days each week.
Lose weight if you’re overweight or obese.
Take medicines as prescribed by your health care professional.
Keep appointments with your health care professional.

Don’t:

eat too much salty food (try to stay under 2 grams per day)

eat foods high in saturated or trans fats
smoke or use to***co

drink too much alcohol (1 drink daily max for women, 2 for men)

miss or share medication.

Reducing hypertension prevents heart attack, stroke and kidney damage, as well as other health problems.

Reduce the risks of hypertension by:

reducing and managing stress
regularly checking blood pressure
treating high blood pressure
managing other medical conditions
reducing exposure to polluted air.

Complications of uncontrolled

hypertension
Among other complications, hypertension can cause serious damage to the heart.
Excessive pressure can harden arteries, decreasing the flow of blood and oxygen to the heart.
This elevated pressure and reduced blood flow can cause:

chest pain, also called angina;
heart attack, which occurs when the blood supply to the heart is blocked and heart muscle cells die from lack of oxygen. The longer the blood flow is blocked, the greater the damage to the heart;

heart failure, which occurs when the heart cannot pump enough blood and oxygen to other vital body organs; and

irregular heart beat which can lead to a sudden death.

Hypertension can also burst or block arteries that supply blood and oxygen to the brain, causing a stroke.

In addition, hypertension can cause kidney damage, leading to kidney failure.

Prevalence of hypertension

The prevalence of hypertension varies across regions and country income groups. The WHO Eastern Mediterranean Region has the highest prevalence of hypertension (38%) while the WHO Western Pacific Region has the lowest prevalence of hypertension (29%).

The number of adults with hypertension increased from 650 million in 1990 to 1.4 billion in 2024 , with the increase seen largely in low- and middle-income countries. This increase is due mainly to a rise in the number of older adults in those countries.

Dr Busuyi Oladunjoye

04/10/2025

04/10/2025

WORK ON YOUR CHARACTER

❤️❤️❤️

04/10/2025

🏥 💊💉

03/10/2025

FREE health screening at Maryland Mall, Lagos, on October 11th! We're doing everything from cervical cancer screening, breast cancer screening, HIV Testing, Hepatitis B Testing and general tests. Register now: https://bit.ly/APROKO-FSO

Remember, FIRST COME, FIRST SERVE.

01/10/2025

_A Dish of Karma, Served Cold_
A man who deceives and wastes a lady's time for years only to go marry someone else, will inevitably face karma's reckoning. He may hastily marry the next girl within three months, but rest assured, karma will deliver its comeuppance and he'll get served.

30/09/2025

_Soulful Musings_

Dear Womanly,

A man who truly loves you brings you peace, not confusion of mind. You won't constantly second-guess whether he loves you or not. A man's love is enough if he's genuine, but if not, you'll suffer emotionally or physically every day through silent tears.

https://chat.whatsapp.com/IQ8hgyM5vt27toe0G6iBEO?mode=ems_copy_c

23/09/2025

Aunty, in the school of relationship. When a man is not meant for you, sometimes, the universe will trigger them to mess up, like hurt you or disappoint you, until you get the message and free yourself.

https://chat.whatsapp.com/IQ8hgyM5vt27toe0G6iBEO?mode=ems_copy_c