Hypertension, stress raise heart disease risk among military personnel – Doctor

Doctor. Photo: The Guardian

A military cardiologist, Maj.-Gen. Life Ajemba, has urged military personnel and veterans to prioritise heart health through regular medical checks, physical exercise, healthy diets and adequate rest.

‎ Ajemba, who gave the advice in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Abuja, said hypertension remained one of the most common cardiovascular conditions among serving personnel and military retirees.

‎He cited studies which showed that hypertension accounted for 15.31 per cent of cases treated among mainly military retirees between 2015 and 2020.

‎He also referenced another study which found a hypertension prevalence of 34.3 per cent among military personnel.

He noted that major risk factors included alcohol consumption, tobacco smoking, family history of cardiovascular disease and being overweight.

‎According to him, the demanding nature of military service could also increase cardiovascular risks due to physical stress, psychological trauma, irregular schedules and inadequate sleep.

‎“Military duties affect heart health through a combination of extreme physical stress, psychological trauma and environmental exposures that increase the risk of cardiovascular disease,” he said.

‎The military cardiologist explained that prolonged stress could increase the release of hormones such as adrenaline and cortisol, leading to increased heart rate and blood pressure.

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‎He added that sleep deprivation, anxiety and other psychological pressures could further increase the risk of hypertension, coronary artery disease, heart attack and stroke.
‎Ajemba stressed the importance of regular medical screening among military personnel, saying early detection could help identify silent conditions such as high blood pressure, abnormal cholesterol levels and elevated blood sugar.

‎He said routine medical checks could include blood pressure and heart rate monitoring, blood tests, lipid profile, electrocardiogram (ECG), chest X-ray and echocardiography where necessary.

‎“Early detection ensures that soldiers receive treatment while remaining fit for duty, preventing medical evacuation and safeguarding their long-term health,” he said.

‎He also encouraged military personnel to maintain regular physical exercise, saying fitness helped reduce blood pressure, improve heart efficiency and increase resistance to operational fatigue.

‎Ajemba, however, advised personnel to combine physical fitness with healthy eating, adequate rest and avoidance of smoking and excessive alcohol consumption.
‎He said maintaining a healthy lifestyle could help military personnel reduce cardiovascular risks and remain fit both during active service and after retirement.(NAN)