We’re driven by a mission:
reducing the burden of cardiovascular disease in sub-Saharan Africa. This time, we scaled upour Heartbeat of Soccer initiative!
Last week, as the Nationwide League One football competition wrapped up, Joe Nwiloh Heart Foundation (JNHF) rolled into Dipo Dina Stadium at (Ijebu Ode) Ogun state.
Our medical team was on a critical mission—offering blood screenings, EKG tests, and resuscitation training for both players and coaches.
Our main goal?
Our demographic focus was designed on early detection of potential substrates that can lead to arrhythmias amongst the footballers. Getting to the venue early further enabled ease of communicationwith officials and stakeholders before we dive into the heart health screenings for athletes.
Sudden Cardiac Death (SCD) is a silent, unpredictable killer, and tragically, we’ve already seen more than six cases across the tiers of the Nigerian football league.
Our mission?
Equip players and coaches with the knowledge and skills to recognize, early warning signs and take action when an emergency strikes.
What’s an EKG and Why Does Lead Placement Matter?
For those unfamiliar, an EKG (electrocardiogram) measures the electrical activity of the heart, giving us
vital insights into its function.
During our screenings, Dr. Jonathan Nwiloh, Our CEO emphasized the importance of precise lead placement.
Our chief cardiac physiologist Newton Onwueme, was on hand to make sure the electrodes were set up properly, which is key to getting accurate readings.
Here’s how the placement works:
– V1 and V2 leads go in the 4th intercostal space (the gaps between your ribs), on either side of the sternum.
– V3 is placed midway between V2 and V4.
– V4 goes in the 5th intercostal space, left midclavicular line—just below your clavicle.
– V5 and V6 are placed horizontally to V4, along the anterior and midaxillary lines.
These positions allow us to monitor essential heart activity (P wave, QRS complex, and T wave) all critical in detecting issues early.
Empowering Teams with Life-Saving Skills
But we didn’t just stop at screenings. We also ran hands-on resuscitation training, focusing on CPR techniques and how to use an Automated External Defibrillator (AED).
We showed coaches and players how to handle emergencies—from spotting a sudden cardiac arrest to perform life-saving interventions before professional medical help arrives.
This type of training is beyond crucial.
In many SCD cases, it’s teammates or coaches who end up as the first responders.
Having even basic CPR knowledge can be the difference between life and death in those critical first few minutes.
The Future of Sports Healthcare
As we deepen our partnerships with sports leagues across Nigeria, we’re laser-focused on more than just improving player performance—we’re here to keep
them safe. By offering regular screenings and emergency preparedness training, we’re actively working to prevent tragedies that can be avoided.
At Dipo Dina Stadium, it was clear to us that education, awareness, and access to health resources can change lives.
We’re grateful for the collaboration with local football organizations and their dedication to keeping their athletes healthy.
As we keep moving forward, we’re expanding these programs to more teams and clubs—because no one should
lose their life on the field to something that could have been caught and treated in time.
Stay tuned as we push heart health into the spotlight of sports safety!
Segun Soneye
