title: Cardiovascular disease and hypertension in sub-Saharan Africa: burden, risk and interventions.
abstract: 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. At least two-thirds of cardiovascular deaths now occur in low- and middle-income countries, bringing a double burden of disease to poor and developing world economies. High blood pressure (or hypertension) is by far the commonest underlying risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Its prevention, detection, treatment and control in sub-Saharan Africa are haphazard and suboptimal. This is due to a combination of lack of resources and health-care systems, non-existent effective preventive strategies at a population level, lack of sustainable drug therapy, and barriers to complete compliance with prescribed medications. The economic impact for loss of productive years of life and the need to divert scarce resources to tertiary care are substantial.
authors.affiliation: Division of Health Sciences (Mental Health and Wellbeing), WHO Collaborating Centre, University of Warwick, Gibbet Hill Road, Coventry, CV4 7AL, UK. f.p.cappuccio@warwick.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Francesco Paolo
authors.initials: FP
authors.lastname: Cappuccio
authors.affiliation: Division of Health Sciences (Mental Health and Wellbeing), WHO Collaborating Centre, University of Warwick, Gibbet Hill Road, Coventry, CV4 7AL, UK.
authors.forename: Michelle Avril
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Miller
mesh_terms: D017954:Africa South of the Sahara; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000191:economics / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000628:therapy*; D003695:Delivery of Health Care / Q000458:organization & administration; D003906:Developing Countries; D004039:Diet, Sodium-Restricted / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D017048:Health Care Costs; D006266:Health Education / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000191:economics / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000628:therapy*; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D015996:Survival Rate
keywords: Cardiovascular disease; Drug therapy; Hypertension; Salt reduction; Sub-Saharan Africa