During the 204th Inaugural Lecture of the University of Nigeria, held at the University of Nigeria Enugu Campus, Professor Emmanuel Ejim, a distinguished Consultant Cardiologist at the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH), discussed the critical impact of Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension on the local population.

He emphasized that this condition is a significant factor contributing to sudden deaths in the community, highlighting the urgent need for awareness and preventive measures to address this pressing health issue.

Delivering the lecture entitled “The Other High BP Which Looks Like Heart Failure But Also Cause Death,”  The doctor explained that Pulmonary Hypertension is a condition characterized by high blood pressure in the lungs, where the pressure in the pulmonary artery is elevated.

Professor Ejim defined Pulmonary Hypertension as a condition where the blood pressure in the pulmonary artery exceeds 20mmHg at rest, as measured through right heart catheterization.

He noted that normal pulmonary artery pressure ranges from 13/6mmHg to 26/16mmHg. He lamented that despite being a leading cause of sudden death, Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension is often overlooked, underrecognized, and underdiscussed in society.

“Almost every four out of 10 adult Nigerians are hypertensive which does not cause them fever, vomiting, loss of appetite and headache in most individuals.

“Attention are only given to systemic hypertension, noting that other types were rarely mentioned and did not seem to matter but also kill like systemic hypertension.

“Chronic Thromboembolic Pulmonary Hypertension is potentially life-threatening condition and associated with high morbidity and mortality.

“It occurs when blood vessels in the lung become thickened, narrowed, blocked or destroyed and become harder for blood to flow through the lungs.

“Its symptoms include shortness of breath while exercising and resting, chest pressure or pain, dizziness or fainting spells, fast pulse or pounding heartbeat, fatigue, swelling in ankles, legs and abdomen as well as noisy breathing,” he mentioned.

Professor Ejim noted that while treatment options for chronic Thromboembolic Pulmonary Hypertension have expanded, access to these medications in Nigeria is limited due to the high cost of diagnosis and testing.

In recognition of his insightful lecture, which shed light on the underlying causes of heart attacks, Professor Daniel Nwachukwu, Deputy Vice Chancellor of UNEC, praised Ejim’s presentation as “fantastic”.

The ceremony culminated in the university’s presentation of awards and a certificate to Professor Ejim, commemorating his 204th inaugural lecture.