Key result
Inactivity, sedentary behavior, and high sodium drive the rising hypertension burden in Southeastern Nigeria.
Why the study?
Hypertension is a leading contributor to cardiovascular disease and premature mortality in Nigeria, driven by rapid urbanization, unhealthy diets, and physical inactivity.
Addressing hypertension in resource-limited settings like Southeastern Nigeria requires coordinated multilevel strategies integrating lifestyle modification, community education, and improved primary healthcare.
Supports socioecological CVD prevention planning in Southeastern Nigeria; leaves open efficacy of multilevel interventions pending prospective trials.
Hypertension remains one of the leading contributors to cardiovascular disease and premature mortality in Nigeria and other low- and middle-income countries. Rapid urbanization, unhealthy dietary patterns, physical inactivity, and increasing sedentary behavior continue to drive rising cardiovascular risk across many communities. This narrative review examines the influence of modifiable lifestyle determinants of hypertension and cardiovascular disease within Southeastern Nigeria from a socioecological perspective. Relevant literature relating to physical inactivity, sedentary behavior, dietary sodium intake, health literacy, socioeconomic influences, and preventive healthcare systems was reviewed and synthesized using thematic analysis. The evidence demonstrates that cardiovascular risk is shaped not only by individual behaviors but also by broader interpersonal, environmental, and health-system factors that influence prevention and long-term disease control. The review highlights the importance of context-specific public health interventions that integrate lifestyle modification, community education, improved primary healthcare delivery, and strengthened prevention policies. Addressing hypertension in resource-limited settings will require coordinated multilevel strategies capable of supporting sustainable cardiovascular risk reduction.
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Ogbuefi et al. (2026) conducted a review in Hypertension and Cardiovascular Risk. Lifestyle modification (physical activity, dietary sodium reduction) was evaluated. Modifiable lifestyle factors, particularly physical inactivity, prolonged sedentary behavior, and high dietary sodium intake, significantly drive the rising burden of hypertension in Southeastern Nigeria.
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