Today was our last day in Birmingham and our final day of lectures at BCU. It felt very bittersweet. I am so grateful for this experience and everything I have learned from our lecturers and from Chinenye. Looking back on the week, the biggest takeaway from all of our lectures has been the importance of compassion in nursing. Every lecturer we met spoke with so much passion about providing compassionate, patient-centered care. Hearing their perspectives made me even more excited about my future in nursing and the impact I hope to make in people’s lives.

Our first lecture today focused on cardiovascular disease in Nigeria, the UK, and the United States. Cardiovascular disease is the leading health condition in all three countries, but the reasons behind it vary. In Nigeria, the lack of primary care physicians and specialists leads to higher mortality rates for cardiovascular conditions. Another major barrier is that patients must pay for care before receiving it. Unlike the US and UK, there is no widespread health insurance or national health service available. Because of this, many patients delay going to the hospital, especially those with lower incomes, because they are worried about the cost. This delay in treatment can have devastating consequences.

We looked at data comparing cardiovascular disease rates in all three countries. At first glance, Nigeria appeared to have the lowest rate per 100,000 people. However, we learned that this is likely due to limited data collection rather than lower disease prevalence. In reality, cardiovascular disease in Nigeria has been increasing due to urbanization. The introduction of fast food and rising air pollution have contributed significantly to higher rates of heart disease. This really surprised me because I used to think urbanization was entirely positive since it creates more jobs and resources. Now I understand that it also brings new public health challenges.

In the United States, cardiovascular disease rates remain high largely because of diet and lifestyle. The widespread availability of fast food and the lack of affordable healthy options contribute heavily to heart disease. We talked about how cardiovascular disease is influenced by both genetics and lifestyle. While genetics are something we cannot control, lifestyle is a major factor that we can control. Eating a balanced diet, staying active, and reducing stress can all help decrease the risk of heart disease.

We also discussed prevention strategies. One of the most important solutions is education. Teaching children early about heart health and healthy habits can significantly reduce their risk of developing heart disease later in life. Another important step is improving access to affordable, healthy food. I strongly believe that having a low income should never be a barrier to living a healthy life.

After a short break, Adekola Onundare, a Nurse Anesthesiologist, gave a lecture on cardiovascular nursing. This lecture connected a lot of what I learned in anatomy and physiology to real clinical practice, which I found really exciting. He began by explaining stress tests, which are usually done on a treadmill to measure how the heart performs under pressure. These tests help determine how much strain a person’s heart can safely handle and whether it is functioning properly. For patients who are bedridden, the same effect can be simulated using medication.

We then discussed ECGs (or EKGs in the US). Earlier this year, I learned about the waves and what they represent, but I didn’t know much about why ECGs are performed or how the electrode and lead system works. ECGs measure the electrical impulses of the heart. The heart’s sinus rhythm begins with an impulse from the SA node, which travels to the AV node, then to the bundle branches and Purkinje fibers. This electrical flow causes the atria and ventricles to depolarize and pump blood. If these signals are not transmitted correctly, the heartbeat can become unsynchronized.

ECGs are performed for many reasons, including chest pain, suspected arrhythmias, pre- and post-operative monitoring, breathing difficulties, and more. The electrodes are the sticky patches placed on the patient’s chest, while the leads represent the electrical views of the heart. One detail that confused me at first was learning that there are 12 leads but only 10 electrodes. Adekola explained that this is because two triangles are formed using the arms and legs, creating additional electrical perspectives. It was fascinating to see how classroom knowledge connects to real patient care.

Now we are on our way to London! I am so excited to explore the city and make even more memories. This trip has already been unforgettable, and I can’t wait to see what the next chapter brings.