WORLD HEART DAY: Straight from the heart — Professor Karen Sliwa-Hahnle’s cardiac care crusade

Professor Karen Sliwa-Hahnle, a cardiologist and director of the Cape Heart Institute at the University of Cape Town, has dedicated her career to combating hypertension, also known as high blood pressure. This silent killer claims the lives of many in Africa, often affecting individuals at a younger age than in other parts of the world. Sliwa-Hahnle has published over 872 papers, with 550 of them peer-reviewed, making her the most prolific cardiovascular researcher on the continent.

She emphasizes the urgent need to raise awareness about the importance of regular blood pressure checks. Untreated high blood pressure can lead to severe heart damage, kidney problems, and even stroke. In her clinic in Soweto, she observed that many patients were not seeking proper medical care due to a lack of awareness and financial constraints. She advocates for simple lifestyle changes, such as cooking at home and reducing salt intake, to prevent hypertension.

Sliwa-Hahnle has also made significant contributions to heart disease in pregnancy, developing a medical therapy that saves lives. This medication, bromocriptine, is the only proven intervention for peripartum cardiomyopathy. Her daughters are both doctors who work in the public sector, reflecting her commitment to serving the community.

Despite the challenges faced by patients, Sliwa-Hahnle remains optimistic about the progress made in preventing hypertension. She attributes this to the increasing awareness of the importance of regular exercise and the availability of low-cost blood pressure testing in pharmacies. However, she stresses that more needs to be done to ensure that patients receive the necessary care and support.