Cardiovascular disease and hypertension in sub-Saharan Africa: burden, risk and interventions

Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) is experiencing an epidemic of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) on an unimaginable scale. Disability and mortality attributable to CVDs and the traditional risk factors, including hypertension, obesity, diabetes mellitus, and dyslipidemia, continue to rise in several SSA count

Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are the second common cause of death in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) accounting for about 35% of all deaths, after a composite of communicable, maternal, neonatal, and nutritional diseases.

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are often called “silent killers” because heart attacks and strokes are a common first warning sign of an underlying disease. High blood pressure is the most frequent and most important risk factor for CVDs.