Medics sound alarm over growing cases of heart attacks

Doctors warn over rising heart failure cases in Kenya. [iStockphoto] Heart failure is emerging as one of Kenya's biggest cardiovascular health challenges, fuelled by rising cases of high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity and other lifestyle-related risk factors. Cardiologists have warned that unless the country intensifies public education on heart diseases and the risk factors, Kenyans would continue to grapple with rising cases and the growing health burden. The experts spoke at a Mombasa hotel during the Kenya Cardiac Society (KCS) 43rd annual scientific congress. They also called for greater investment in locally generated research and expanded access to cardiovascular medicines , saying Kenya lacks sufficient national data to accurately measure the burden of heart disease. "Heart failure is a disease where the heart becomes weak. People struggle to breathe, and it can be caused by many things," said KCS president Dr Mzee Ngunga. Ngunga said uncontrolled hypertension was one of the leading drivers of heart failure in Kenya, alongside damaged heart valves and blocked arteries caused by cholesterol buildup. "Heart failure is becoming more common because of an increase in the risk factors. High blood pressure, diabetes, obesity, smoking and excessive alcohol intake are among the major contributors. These are lifestyle diseases that we need to prevent through public education," he added. He urged Kenyans to adopt healthier lifestyles by avoiding tobacco use, limiting alcohol consumption and managing conditions such as hypertension and diabetes before they lead to serious heart disease. While cardiovascular disease is becoming increasingly common across Kenya, experts said the country still lacks the data needed to understand its true scale. "We need to create our own data. Our epidemiology is different from other countries. Infectious diseases, environmental factors and even genetics may influence cardiovascular disease differently here. Yet much of the evidence used to develop treatment guidelines comes from Western Europe and the United States," said Dr Anders Barasa, a consultant physician cardiologist and heart failure specialist. Barasa said Kenya does not yet have reliable population-based data showing how many people are living with heart failure or other cardiovascular diseases. "What we know is based on patients who come to hospitals. That does not tell us what is happening in the general population," he said. He said researchers have begun developing cardiovascular disease registries to better understand disease patterns in Kenya and generate evidence that can inform locally relevant treatment guidelines and health policies. Stay informed. Subscribe to our newsletter