Medical Consultant at the Kogi Ministry of Health,Dr Kunle Adedera, has urged Nigerians to avoid sedentary lifestyle and engaged in regular exercise to keep a healthy heart.
 
The consultant spoke to journalists on Thursday in Lokoja.
 
He said that the call was necessary to create public awareness on the high rate at which people die of heart related diseases.
 
Aledare advised that people should endeavour to engage in at least 30 minutes regular exercise daily to burn down the accumulated fats that could obstruct the coronary artery.
 
According to him, the coronary blood artery is the vessel that carries the flow of blood to and from the heart.
 
He explained that blockage in the blood artery weakened the muscles and that it would lead to shortage of blood supply, which could result into heart attack.
 
The expert said that those who were in the habit of sitting down all the day should desist from such lifestyle, stressing that it was dangerous to their health.
 
``Adequate exercise or trekking for at least 30 minutes per day is one of the most preventive measures against heart attack.
 
``People should also avoid tobacco smoking and inhaling of generator fumes. 

``We must avoid an environment with excessive generation of smoke; we must keep and maintain a well ventilated room," Aledare said.
 
Aledare urged people to check their blood sugar regularly, adding that 50 per cent of those that have diabetes were at higher risk of having heart related diseases.
 
Aledare advised people to go for general medical checkups at least once in three month for blood pressure, cholesterol level, and sugar content in the blood.
 
According to him, high blood pressure or hypertension, high blood sugar 
(diabetes), and high cholesterol level are among factors that can predispose people to heart conditions.
 
``People should eat more of fishes, fruits, vegetables, and low salt intake to create and keep heart-healthy environment.
 
``It is better to take adequate measures and precautions to prevent heart related conditions; prevention is better than cure," the expert warned.
 
The expert, however, urged the Federal Government to raise more awareness and educate people on the need to create and maintain heart-healthy environment.
 
``The Federal Government should put stringent measures in place, and formulate policies to avoid air pollution which will promote the health of individuals.
 
``These policies must be implementable at all levels of government.
 
``The Federal Government should also commit adequate funds to health sector to make available modern equipment in federal teaching hospitals for the corrections of heart conditions," he said.
 
He said that most people with heart conditions basically complained of pains at the centre of the chest, adding that people sometimes mistake it for ulcer.
 
He explained further that in some people, the chest pain might later extend to the neck, arm, shoulder, wrist and other parts of the body