The death of some football fans while watching the semi-final match between Nigeria and South Africa at the ongoing 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) has raised concerns over cardiovascular health of many Nigerians.
A warning was issued ahead of the final match between Nigeria and the host nation, Cote d’Ivoire scheduled for Sunday.
Nigerian businessman, Osondu Nwoye, who was based in Cote d’Ivoire; former lawmaker Cairo Ojougboh; and the Kwara State University Deputy Bursar, Ayuba Abdullahi are among those who died while watching the intense semi-finals between Nigeria’s Super Eagles and Bafana Bafana of South Africa.
Experts have cautioned Nigerians to avoid getting overly excited during games and emotional events while advising taking breaks if needed.
Here are nine categories of fans who should not watch the game:
- Arrhythmias – An arrhythmia, or irregular heartbeat, is a problem with the rate or rhythm of your heartbeat. Your heart may beat too quickly, too slowly, or with an irregular rhythm. It is normal for your heart rate to speed up during physical activity and to slow down while resting or sleeping.
- Sudden Heart Attacks – Sudden cardiac death can be defined as death resulting from abrupt loss of cardiac function with or without previous heart disease unexpected within one hour of onset of symptoms.
- Stroke
- Underlying heart conditions
- Complications of hypertension – Experts observed that in heart diseases three out of every 10 adult Nigerians have high blood pressure, many of whom are unaware of their hypertensive status.
- Cardiomyopathies
- Valvular disorders
- Pulmonary thromboembolism
- High blood lipids/cholesterol (dyslipidaemia)