Major Factors Driving Heart Failure Deaths in Nigeria

A landmark national review published in SN Comprehensive Clinical Medicine has identified key factors contributing to poor heart failure treatment outcomes in Nigeria. The study, led by Professor Adeseye Akintunde of LAUTECH Teaching Hospital and Dr. Victor Oluwatomiwa Ajekiigbe, analyzed data from seven studies involving 1,151 patients with an average age of 54 years.

The findings revealed that 79.5% of heart failure patients also have hypertension, making it the most common underlying condition. Infection was identified as the leading predictor of poor treatment outcomes (51.3%), followed by community-acquired pneumonia (40.8%) and abnormal heart rhythm (25%).

The research team emphasized the need for improved public health measures, better management of chronic diseases, and wider access to evidence-based heart failure treatments. The study also noted that while ACE inhibitors, angiotensin receptor blockers, and aldosterone antagonists are frequently prescribed, guideline-recommended therapies like beta-blockers remain underused, potentially limiting patient survival and quality of life.