Cardiovascular disease: the new epidemic in sub-Saharan Africa

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Epidemiology
• Cardiovascular Medicine

Background:

• Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) experiences a dual disease burden, including non-communicable diseases like coronary heart disease and the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) epidemic.
• Cardiovascular disease (CVD) prevention and treatment are often overlooked in SSA due to the focus on HIV, leading to rising CVD rates.
• The 'Westernization' of SSA is increasing CVD risk factors such as diabetes, obesity, and smoking.

Purpose of the Study:

• To highlight the escalating threat of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in Sub-Saharan Africa.
• To underscore the overlooked nature of CVD prevention and treatment amidst the HIV epidemic.
• To project the future epidemiological landscape of SSA, potentially shifting from HIV to CVD as the leading cause of mortality.

Main Methods:

• A literature review was conducted using PubMed as the primary database.
• Searched for journal articles related to diabetes, obesity, and smoking rates in Sub-Saharan Africa.
• Reviewed the prevalence of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in the USA for comparative analysis.

Main Results:

• Cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors are increasing in SSA, projected to rise by 50% due to Westernization.
• While the USA has higher current CVD rates, they are declining, unlike in SSA.
• Eighty percent of global CVD deaths occur in developing countries, including those in SSA.

Conclusions:

• Cardiovascular disease (CVD) poses a significant and growing threat in Sub-Saharan Africa, potentially becoming the next major epidemic.
• Addressing the rising prevalence of CVD risk factors is critical for public health in SSA.
• Without intervention, SSA faces an epidemiological transition where CVD could surpass HIV/AIDS as the leading cause of death.