Forgotten cardiovascular diseases in Africa.
Much of the global burden of cardiovascular disease is now carried by low and middle income countries. Unfortunately, many of these regions are still grappling with poverty and infection-related cardiovascular diseases, such as endomyocardial fibrosis, tuberculous pericarditis and rheumatic heart disease. In addition, Africa has its unique diseases that occur more commonly in Africans as peripartum cardiomyopathy or, almost uniquely in Africa, as subvalvular aneurysm. We present our perspective on forgotten cardiovascular disease in Africa in the context of the epidemic of cardiovascular disease due to global changes in life style.
Sliwa
Karen
K
Hatter Cardiovascular Research Institute, Department of Medicine, Groote Schuur Hospital, University of Cape Town, Anzio Road, 7925 Cape Town, South Africa. Sliwa-hahnlek@mdh-africa.org
Mocumbi
Ana Olga
AO
D000349:Africa / Q000453:epidemiology; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000401:mortality*; D021821:Communicable Diseases, Emerging / Q000401:mortality*; D003906:Developing Countries / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D004196:Disease Outbreaks / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D016019:Survival Analysis; D015996:Survival Rate