South Africa: SA's Hypertension Crisis Is Leaving Millions At Risk of Heart Disease and Stroke
[Daily Maverick] Cardiovascular disease (CVD) claims 18 million lives globally each year, accounting for one in three deaths. It is estimated that one in three South Africans live with high blood pressure, yet about 50% of people remain undiagnosed.
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) contributes to one in three global deaths, with an estimated 18 million lives lost annually. South Africa grapples with a similar crisis, as approximately 225 people pass away from CVD each day. While some risk factors for heart disease and stroke, such as genetics, are outside an individual's control, hypertension emerges as a significant contributing factor.
Globally, high blood pressure is responsible for around 10 million deaths, accounting for 17.5% of all annual fatalities. In South Africa specifically, an estimated 50% of the population have hypertension, yet only about half are diagnosed. The number of individuals with uncontrolled hypertension has surged to an estimated 1 billion, up from 600,000 in 2008.
The World Health Organization's reports reveal that of the 1.4 billion adults aged 30 to 79 diagnosed with hypertension, only about 20% have it under control. In sub-Saharan Africa, the prevalence of hypertension among males aged 25 and above ranges from 48% to 55.5%, while for females in the same age group, it varies between 43% and 50%.
Written by urgent.news from AllAfrica Health's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
