Tackling the Growing Burden of Cardiovascular Diseases in Sub-Saharan Africa

Cardiovascular disease, including stroke, heart failure and kidney disease, has been common in sub-Saharan Africa for many years, and rapid urbanization is causing an upsurge of ischaemic heart disease and metabolic disorders.

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.